The nurse is preparing to administer potassium intravenously to a client with hypokalemia. Which life-threatening complication can arise if administered too fast?

Choice A reason: Rapid intravenous administration of potassium can cause sudden and dangerous changes in cardiac electrical activity. Potassium plays a critical role in myocardial cell depolarization and repolarization. When infused too quickly, serum potassium levels can rise abruptly, leading to severe cardiac dysrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, or asystole. These rhythm disturbances can progress rapidly to cardiac arrest, making this the most life-threatening complication. Choice B reason: Metabolic alkalosis is not a direct or immediate complication of rapid potassium infusion. In fact, hypokalemia is more commonly associated with metabolic alkalosis, and potassium replacement may help correct it. This condition does not represent the primary acute danger associated with rapid intravenous potassium administration. Choice C reason: Fluid volume overload depends on the total volume and rate of fluid infused rather than the potassium itself. While excessive IV fluids can contribute to overload, this is not the most critical or potassium-specific life-threatening complication associated with rapid potassium administration. Choice D reason: Hypertension is not a typical consequence of rapid potassium infusion. Potassium primarily affects cardiac conduction and neuromuscular function rather than causing acute increases in blood pressure. Therefore, this option is incorrect.