A client with chronic kidney disease has potassium 6.4 mEq/L. Click the ECG finding most consistent with early hyperkalemia.
Hot Spot
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
Peaked T wave is the best answer. Tall peaked T waves are a classic early ECG manifestation of hyperkalemia. Other marked areas do not best match the cue in this item.
Quick answer Peaked T wave is the best answer. Tall peaked T waves are a classic early ECG manifestation of hyperkalemia. Other marked areas do not best match the cue in this item.
Why this is correct Potassium affects cardiac membrane repolarization. In early hyperkalemia, the T wave can become tall and narrow before more advanced conduction changes appear.
Easy analogy or mental picture Picture the ECG in sequence: the T wave sharpens first, then worsening toxicity can disturb atrial and ventricular conduction. The question asks for the early visual clue, not every possible late change.
Memory hook High potassium plus an early ECG change points to a tall peaked T wave.
NCLEX decision rule When elevated potassium is paired with an ECG image, inspect the T wave first and then assess the rest of the conduction pattern and the client's stability.
Why the other choices are wrong Selecting the P wave, QRS complex, or ST segment alone misses the early repolarization clue identified in this item.
References
[1]
NCBI Bookshelf: Hyperkalemia
Clinical situationA client with chronic kidney disease has potassium 6.4 mEq/L.
What the nurse should noticePeaked T wave is the best answer. Tall peaked T waves are a classic early ECG manifestation of hyperkalemia. Other marked areas do not best match the cue in this item.
Transfer to practiceWhen elevated potassium is paired with an ECG image, inspect the T wave first and then assess the rest of the conduction pattern and the client's stability.
Hyperkalemia — Elevated serum potassium.
Repolarization — The electrical recovery phase represented largely by the T wave.