A patient with acute renal failure has a serum potassium level of 7.2 mEq/L. The most appropriate immediate intervention for this patient is

A serum potassium level of 7.2 mEq/L is critically high and can lead to life-threatening cardiac

arrhythmias. The most immediate intervention is the administration of 50% dextrose followed by

insulin, which helps drive potassium back into the cells, thereby rapidly lowering the serum

potassium level. Hemodialysis and Kayexalate are also effective but may not act as quickly as the

dextrose-insulin combination. Reference: = CCRN Exam Handbook, AACN Adult CCRN Certification

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