What treatment should a nurse expect to implement for a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L?

In the case of a serum potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L, the appropriate treatment involves administering sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate). This medication is specifically used to treat hyperkalemia, which is characterized by elevated potassium levels in the blood. Kayexalate works by exchanging sodium ions for potassium ions in the intestines, thereby helping to lower the serum potassium level.

By implementing this treatment, the nurse actively addresses the hyperkalemia, which can be life-threatening due to the risk of cardiac arrhythmias and other serious complications. This is crucial, as managing potassium levels promptly can prevent possible cardiac events associated with high potassium levels.

Assessment of the client's ECG is also important during hyperkalemia, as it provides critical information regarding the impact of elevated potassium on heart rhythm. While this would certainly be a part of comprehensive care, the primary intervention would focus on reducing the serum potassium level, which is best achieved through the administration of medications like Kayexalate. Increasing potassium intake or initiating fluid restriction would not be appropriate actions for addressing hyperkalemia; rather, they would exacerbate the condition.