A nurse received an order to administer potassium chloride to a client who has a potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Rationale: A. Hold the medication and inform the provider of the client's potassium level: A potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L indicates hyperkalemia (normal range is 3.5–5.0 mEq/L). Administering potassium chloride in this situation could worsen the hyperkalemia and lead to serious cardiac complications. The provider should be notified immediately. B. Obtain an order to increase the dosage of the medication: This would be unsafe and inappropriate since the potassium level is already elevated. C. Hold the medication until the client has his evening meal: Delaying the dose does not address the issue. The problem is the elevated potassium, not the timing. D. Give the medication as prescribed: Administering potassium in the presence of hyperkalemia is dangerous and could result in life-threatening arrhythmias.