For which potassium level should a nurse withhold furosemide administration?

Furosemide, a loop diuretic, can cause potassium depletion because it promotes the excretion of potassium along with sodium in the urine. It is crucial for the nurse to monitor a patient’s potassium levels before administering this medication because low potassium levels (hypokalemia) can lead to serious complications, including life-threatening arrhythmias.

A potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L represents a significant deficiency and falls well below the normal range (generally 3.5-5.0 mEq/L). Administering furosemide in this situation could exacerbate the hypokalemia and put the patient at increased risk for cardiac complications. Therefore, the safe and appropriate action for the nurse is to withhold furosemide when the potassium level is this low, ensuring the patient's safety and stability before proceeding with any diuretic therapy.