A client has hypokalemia. Which assessment finding would indicate an increased risk for cardiac arrhythmias?

A client has hypokalemia. Which assessment finding would indicate an increased risk for cardiac arrhythmias?

• A. Hypertension
• B. Bradycardia with regular rhythm
• C. PVCs on ECG
• D. Ventricular arrhythmias on ECG

Answer: (D)

Low potassium levels disrupt cardiac electrical stability by altering repolarization, which makes the heart more prone to dangerous rhythms. If the ECG shows ventricular arrhythmias, that indicates the heart is experiencing severe, potentially life-threatening rhythmic disturbances such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. This finding signals a high risk for progression to irreversible arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death if the electrolyte imbalance isn’t corrected. Hypertension and a bradycardic rhythm can occur with various conditions and don’t specifically reflect the immediate danger posed by hypokalemia. Occasional PVCs show ectopic beats from irritable heart tissue but are less ominous than actual ventricular arrhythmias, which demonstrate a more serious disruption in cardiac conduction.

Low potassium levels disrupt cardiac electrical stability by altering repolarization, which makes the heart more prone to dangerous rhythms. If the ECG shows ventricular arrhythmias, that indicates the heart is experiencing severe, potentially life-threatening rhythmic disturbances such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. This finding signals a high risk for progression to irreversible arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death if the electrolyte imbalance isn’t corrected.

Hypertension and a bradycardic rhythm can occur with various conditions and don’t specifically reflect the immediate danger posed by hypokalemia. Occasional PVCs show ectopic beats from irritable heart tissue but are less ominous than actual ventricular arrhythmias, which demonstrate a more serious disruption in cardiac conduction.