The nurse administers IV potassium chloride to a client with hypokalemia. Which precaution should the nurse take?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Potassium chloride corrects hypokalemia but is caustic IV, risking phlebitis or tissue damage if it infiltrates. Monitoring the IV site prevents complications, a key precaution. Undiluted or rapid infusion causes burns or arrhythmias'standard is diluted, <10 mEq/hour. A syringe pump isn't required'IV pumps suffice. Site monitoring aligns with potassium's administration risks, critical in hypokalemia where cardiac effects (e.g., arrhythmias) are at stake, making C the nurse's priority to ensure safe delivery.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Failed to generate a rationale of 500+ characters after 5 retries.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Meperidine hydrochloride (Demerol) is an opioid analgesic used for pain relief, but it is known to cause side effects. Tremors are not a common side effect associated with Meperidine. Diarrhea, sweating, and dizziness are commonly reported side effects of this medication. Tremors are more commonly associated with stimulant medications or conditions like anxiety or certain neurological disorders.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The best way to avoid problems with flushing or pruritus when taking niacin for antilipemic therapy is to take the medication with a full glass of water on an empty stomach. This method helps to minimize the chances of flushing or itching commonly associated with niacin therapy. Niacin can cause flushing by dilating blood vessels, leading to redness, warmth, and itching of the skin. Taking it on an empty stomach with water can help reduce the intensity of these side effects. Starting with a low initial dose and then gradually increasing it can also help to reduce flushing and other adverse effects associated with niacin therapy.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The nurse monitors the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) to check the effectiveness of heparin therapy in a patient with a pulmonary embolism. Heparin works by inhibiting the clotting cascade, specifically by potentiating the activity of antithrombin III, which inactivates thrombin and factor Xa. Monitoring the aPTT helps determine the appropriate dosage of heparin to maintain therapeutic levels of anticoagulation and prevent clot formation without increasing the risk of bleeding. The desired therapeutic range for aPTT when a patient is on heparin therapy is usually 1.5 to 2.5 times the control value. Monitoring aPTT levels regularly helps ensure that the patient is receiving the correct dose of heparin for effective treatment of the pulmonary embolism.