Which one of the following should be reported immediately?
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The nurse is reviewing laboratory results on a client with acute renal failure. Blood urea nitrogen 50 mg/dl, Hemoglobin of 10.3 mg/dl, Venous blood pH 7.30, or Serum potassium 6 mEq/L
Although all values are abnormal, the serum potassium level is critically high. Potassium is an essential electrolyte, which is a mineral the body needs to function correctly. Potassium is especially important for nerves and muscles, including the heart. Kidney failure is the most common cause of high potassium levels. When the kidneys fail or do not function properly, they can’t remove extra potassium from the body.
This can lead to potassium buildup. Critically high potassium can cause paralysis or heart failure. If left untreated, high potassium levels can cause the heart to stop.