The nurse is caring for a client admitted to an inpatient eating disorder unit. Exhibits Drag 1 condition and 1 client finding to fill in each blank in the following sentence. The nurse should first address the client's dropdownbydropdown

Potassium level is critically low at 2.8 mEq/L, which places the client at risk for life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Hypokalemia is common in clients with eating disorders due to malnutrition, laxative misuse, and electrolyte imbalances. Since low potassium can cause cardiac complications, this should be prioritized over other concerns. Checking an EKG is the appropriate action because hypokalemia can lead to dangerous arrhythmias, including prolonged QT interval and ventricular dysrhythmias. An EKG will help assess for any immediate cardiac risks and guide the need for potassium replacement therapy. Anxiety – Assessing the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. Although the client reports anxiety, it is not the most immediate concern. While the Hamilton Anxiety Scale is useful for evaluating anxiety severity, the nurse should first focus on correcting the critical electrolyte imbalance before assessing mental health symptoms. Caloric intake – Administering liquid supplements. Restoring adequate nutrition is important for the long-term treatment of anorexia, but electrolyte imbalances must be corrected first to prevent cardiac complications. Feeding a malnourished client too quickly without stabilizing electrolytes could lead to refeeding syndrome, which can be fatal. Alcohol use – Having the client complete a CAGE questionnaire. The client’s reported alcohol consumption (3-4 glasses of wine per night) is concerning, but it does not pose an immediate life-threatening risk compared to hypokalemia. Evaluating for alcohol dependence should be done after addressing the urgent medical concerns. Body mass index – Observing the client during meals. The client’s BMI of 15.4 kg/m² confirms severe malnutrition, but meal monitoring is not the first priority. Before increasing food intake, electrolytes must be stabilized to prevent complications such as refeeding syndrome.