What is the first action you should take when a patient is suspected of hyperkalemia?

What is the first action you should take when a patient is suspected of hyperkalemia?

• A. Start IV fluids
• B. Administer calcium chloride
• C. Obtain ABG
• D. Attach the patient to cardiac monitor and get a 12-Lead

Answer: (D)

When potassium is suspected to be high, the immediate priority is to assess the heart because elevated potassium can cause rapid, life-threatening rhythms. Attach the patient to continuous cardiac monitoring and obtain a 12-lead ECG right away. The ECG will reveal dangerous changes (like tall peaked T waves, widened QRS, or sine-wave patterns) that tell you how urgent the situation is and guide the next treatment steps. While calcium to stabilize the heart or other therapies to shift potassium can be used, they should follow after you’ve confirmed the cardiac status with the ECG. Other actions like starting IV fluids or ordering an ABG don’t address the immediate cardiac risk as directly as identifying the rhythm does.

When potassium is suspected to be high, the immediate priority is to assess the heart because elevated potassium can cause rapid, life-threatening rhythms. Attach the patient to continuous cardiac monitoring and obtain a 12-lead ECG right away. The ECG will reveal dangerous changes (like tall peaked T waves, widened QRS, or sine-wave patterns) that tell you how urgent the situation is and guide the next treatment steps. While calcium to stabilize the heart or other therapies to shift potassium can be used, they should follow after you’ve confirmed the cardiac status with the ECG. Other actions like starting IV fluids or ordering an ABG don’t address the immediate cardiac risk as directly as identifying the rhythm does.