In a client with suspected renal failure, which laboratory result should prompt immediate nursing intervention?

In the context of a client with suspected renal failure, high potassium levels are critical because they can indicate hyperkalemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The kidneys play a vital role in regulating potassium levels in the body, and when renal function declines, potassium can accumulate due to decreased excretion. Elevated potassium levels can lead to serious complications, such as cardiac arrhythmias or cardiac arrest.

Immediate nursing intervention is warranted with high potassium levels due to these risks. Interventions may include administering medications to stabilize the heart (like calcium gluconate), insulin and glucose to drive potassium back into cells, or dialysis in severe cases. Monitoring cardiac rhythms is also essential because changes in potassium levels can adversely affect the heart.

While low hemoglobin levels, increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and elevated creatinine levels are pertinent laboratory findings that warrant attention in renal failure, they do not carry the same immediate life-threatening implications as hyperkalemia. Therefore, high potassium levels should be addressed as a priority in this scenario.