A Patient Who Is Being Treated for Dehydration Is Receiving

A patient who is being treated for dehydration is receiving 5% dextrose and 0.45% normal saline with 20 mEq/L potassium chloride at a rate of 125 mL/h. The nurse assuming care for the patient reviews the patient's serum electrolytes and notes a serum sodium level of 140 mEq/L and a serum potassium level of 3.6 mEq/L. The patient had a urine output of 250 mL during the last 12-hour shift. Which action will the nurse take?

A) Contact the patient's provider to discuss increasing the potassium chloride to 40 mEq/L.
B) Continue the intravenous fluids as ordered and reassess the patient frequently.
C) Notify the provider and discuss increasing the rate of fluids to 200 mL/h.
D) Stop the intravenous fluids and notify the provider of the assessment findings.

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