A client is prescribed potassium chloride 20 mEq orally twice daily for hypokalemia. Before administering the medication, which lab result is most important to review?
Blood glucose level
Blood pressure reading
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels
Serum potassium level
It is critical to assess the client’s current serum potassium level before administering potassium chloride. This ensures that the client's potassium is still below the normal range and avoids the risk of hyperkalemia, which can cause serious complications such as arrhythmias. Although renal function (BUN/creatinine) impacts potassium excretion and blood pressure is important for monitoring during therapy, these are secondary to the need to confirm serum potassium levels prior to administration. Blood glucose is unrelated to potassium chloride administration.
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