The nurse is performing an electrocardiogram on a patient with rhabdomyolysis. The patient asks the nurse what the rationale is for this test, since he is young and has no cardiac history. Which of the following responses by the nurse is most appropriate?

“The destruction of muscle cells releases potassium into your system. This can cause dangerous heart rhythms.” . Rhabdomyolysis is associated with hyperkalemia due to destruction of cells and release of intracellular contents and electrolytes into the bloodstream. The nurse should educate the patient using easy-to-understand terminology. Promising the test won’t hurt and will be over quickly makes an assumption about the patient’s concern and does not properly answer the patient’s question. Although it is true that electrolyte imbalances can lead to fatal arrhythmias in rhabdomyolysis, this uses unnecessary medical terminology. The nurse can provide education to the patient for rationale of the test; the provider is not required. Additionally, the EKG is an important time-sensitive test to perform in patients with rhabdomyolysis. It cannot wait until the provider comes to talk to the patient.

The nurse is performing an electrocardiogram on a patient with rh...

Category: Reduction of Risk Potential
Difficulty: 5

Topics: Acid-Base Cardiovascular Communication & Documentation Disease Prevention Musculoskeletal

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