Use Case Study to answer the following questions. Exhibits Which of the following assessment findings is most concerning in a patient with hypokalemia?

Rationale: A. This is an early and potentially serious sign of cardiac involvement in hypokalemia. It can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. Continuous cardiac monitoring is essential in patients with low potassium levels. B. Muscle cramps – Common in hypokalemia due to muscle cell irritability, but not immediately life-threatening like cardiac effects. C. Fatigue is a general symptom of hypokalemia, but nonspecific and not as critical as ECG changes. D. Decreased bowel sounds – Reflects reduced smooth muscle activity (hypokalemia can slow GI motility), but this is also less critical than cardiac dysrhythmias.