Question

The nurse is observing a new graduate nurse preparing to administer bumetanide 4 mg orally to a client with heart failure. Which client finding requires the nurse to intervene immediately?

A
The client has crackles in both lung bases.
B
The client has 4+ pitting edema in both lower legs.
C
The client's most recent blood pressure is 96/60 mmHg.
D
The client's most recent serum potassium level is 2.9 mg/dL.

Answer 1

The nurse must intervene when the client's serum potassium level is 2.9 mg/dL because administering bumetanide, a loop diuretic, could exacerbate the patient's hypokalemia and lead to serious cardiac complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

The situation that requires the nurse to intervene immediately when a new graduate nurse is preparing to administer bumetanide 4 mg orally to a client with heart failure is option D: The client's most recent serum potassium level is 2.9 mg/dL.

Bumetanide is a potent loop diuretic that can lead to further potassium depletion, potentially causing life-threatening arrhythmias. The presence of hypokalemia (low serum potassium) is a significant concern, especially in the context of heart failure. Therefore, administering a diuretic to a patient who already has a low potassium level could be dangerous without addressing the hypokalemia first.