A patient has a potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L. What is a critical nursing intervention?

• A. Notify the provider and prepare to administer potassium with ECG monitoring per order
• B. Recheck potassium in 8 hours
• C. Administer calcium gluconate immediately
• D. Place patient on NPO and hold all electrolytes

Answer: (A)

When potassium is this low, the immediate priority is to correct the deficit while watching the heart for rhythm changes. Notifying the provider and preparing to administer potassium with ECG monitoring per order accomplishes two critical things: it initiates definitive treatment to raise the potassium level, and it ensures continuous cardiac monitoring to detect any arrhythmias that can occur as levels change.

Rechecking the value in several hours would delay needed treatment and keep the patient at ongoing risk for complications. Administering calcium gluconate is appropriate for hyperkalemia to stabilize the heart, not for low potassium. Placing the patient NPO and withholding all electrolytes would prevent necessary therapy and worsen the deficiency.