A nurse is caring for a client with acute kidney injury. Which action should the nurse prioritize after noting the following rhythm on the cardiac monitor?

Rationale: A. Continuing to monitor without taking action is not appropriate because peaked T waves indicate a potentially life-threatening cardiac effect of hyperkalemia. Delaying intervention can lead to arrhythmias or cardiac arrest. B. Reviewing the chart for the patient’s creatinine level is important for overall kidney function assessment, but it does not address the immediate cardiac risk from hyperkalemia. C. Obtaining a calcium level may be part of hyperkalemia management, but it is not the first step. Calcium is used to stabilize the myocardium after confirming elevated potassium. D. Checking the most recent potassium level is the priority because peaked T waves are directly related to hyperkalemia. Knowing the current potassium level guides urgent interventions to prevent life-threatening arrhythmias.