A nurse is preparing to administer potassium chloride (KCL) to a client who is receiving diuretic therapy. The nurse reviews the client's serum potassium level results and discovers the client's potassium level is 3.2 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Give the ordered KCL as prescribed – A potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia (normal range: 3.5–5.0 mEq/L). Administering potassium chloride as prescribed is appropriate to correct this deficiency, especially since the client is on diuretics, which can further lower potassium levels. B. Call the lab to verify the client's results – This is unnecessary unless the value is critically abnormal or inconsistent with the client’s condition. A level of 3.2 is low but not critically so. C. Omit the KCL dose and document that it was not given – This would be inappropriate and potentially harmful, as withholding potassium in the presence of hypokalemia could lead to serious complications such as cardiac arrhythmias. D. Hold the prescribed dose and notify the provider of the serum potassium level – This is not necessary. The potassium is already prescribed and the level confirms the need for supplementation.