Which is a priority nursing intervention for a patient with hypokalemia and stable cardiac function?

• A. Fall prevention interventions
• B. Teaching regarding sodium restriction
• C. Encouraging increased fluid intake
• D. Explaining how to take daily weights

Answer: (A)

The main idea is safety: low potassium can cause generalized muscle weakness and dizziness, which increases the risk of falls even when the heart is functioning well. Preventing a fall is the immediate priority so the patient stays protected while potassium replacement and monitoring are addressed. So implement fall-prevention measures like keeping the bed low, ensuring a clear path and proper lighting, using non-slip footwear, assisting with ambulation, and keeping the call light within reach. The other actions are still important in broader care, but they don’t address the urgent safety risk created by hypokalemia. Teaching about sodium restriction relates to long-term electrolyte balance, encouraging more fluids isn’t directly needed for this situation and could disrupt balance, and daily weights are more about fluid status in conditions like heart failure rather than the acute fall risk from hypokalemia.