Question

The nurse is caring for a patient with a potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L. The nurse should carefully monitor for which potential problem?

a. excessive urinary output
b. abdominal distention
c. increased reflexes
d. hyperactive bowel sounds

Answer 1

The nurse should carefully monitor for increased reflexes in a patient with a potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L. Hypokalemia can cause muscle weakness and affect nerve function, leading to increased reflexes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should carefully monitor for b. increased reflexes in a patient with a potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L. This is because low potassium levels, known as hypokalemia, can cause muscle weakness and affect nerve function, leading to increased reflexes. Hyperkalemia, or high potassium levels, is associated with hypertonicity due to too much solute in its body fluids.