A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic kidney disease who receives hemodialysis. The routine daily laboratory studies reveal a potassium level of 5.2 mEq/L. The nurse knows the patient is at risk for which of the following?
Explanation
• Patients with hyperkalemia (increased serum potassium) may exhibit bradycardia with widened QRS waveform on EKG and may develop ventricular fibrillation.
• Normal serum potassium range: 3.5 - 5.0 mEq/L
• Hyperkalemia may cause numbness and tingling of the fingertips and numbness around the mouth. Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps may also occur with hyperkalemia.