Hyperkalemia disrupts the heart’s electrical system. When potassium builds up outside cells, the resting membrane potential becomes less negative and sodium channels don’t recover as well, slowing the spread of impulses through the conduction pathways. This makes the heart conduction slower and more prone to dangerous rhythms, so the most likely and clinically important concern is cardiac conduction problems that can progress to arrhythmias or arrest if not treated. Seizures and bruising aren’t typical direct effects of high potassium, and cramps are more characteristic of other electrolyte issues; the heart’s conduction disturbance is the primary risk with elevated potassium.

Nursing diagnoses are based on the nurse’s assessment data—what the patient reports, what is observed, and how the patient responds to health issues. This collection of assessment findings, patient responses, and behaviors provides the real-time picture of the patient’s status and helps the nurse identify actual or potential problems that nursing care can address. That’s why assessment findings, patient responses, and behaviors are the best data source for formulating a nursing diagnosis. Medical test results, physician notes, and billing information aren’t the primary basis for a nursing diagnosis. Medical tests and physician notes guide medical diagnoses and treatment plans, while billing data serves administrative purposes. They may inform care in a broader sense, but the nursing diagnosis specifically rests on the nurse’s own assessment data about the patient.

Hand hygiene is the essential practice to prevent infection transmission in healthcare. The best approach combines either soap and water for at least 20 seconds or an alcohol-based handrub, chosen based on the situation. Use soap and water when hands are visibly dirty or contaminated with body fluids, and use an alcohol-based sanitizer when hands are not visibly soiled for quick, effective microbial reduction. Perform hand hygiene before touching a patient, before performing a clean or sterile procedure, after potential exposure to body fluids, after finishing with a patient, and after removing gloves. If hands are visibly dirty, washing with soap and water is preferred; some organisms, like certain spores, may require thorough handwashing rather than sanitizer. The other options don’t meet these essential moments or use the most effective method for the scenario, so they’re not appropriate.

Stage 2 hypertension is defined by blood pressure values that are significantly higher than normal: a systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher, or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher. This level marks a more severe elevation than normal, elevated, or Stage 1 categories. The other ranges correspond to those lower categories (normal under 120/80, elevated around 120–129 with diastolic under 80, and Stage 1 around 130–139 or 80–89). The option that lists ≥140 on systolic or ≥90 on diastolic best fits Stage 2, reflecting the higher threshold that signals more pronounced hypertension.