🚨 POTASSIUM 6.3 + PEAKED T WAVES! WHAT SHOULD THE NURSE DO FIRST? Your patient has severe hyperkalemia, and the ECG is already showing cardiac changes. The NCLEX gives you three medications: calcium gluconate, insulin with dextrose, and a potassium binder. 💉 Which one comes FIRST? Here's what you need to understand! ✅ IV Calcium Gluconate — STABILIZES the heart but does NOT lower potassium. ✅ Insulin + Dextrose — SHIFTS potassium from the blood into the cells. ✅ Potassium Removal — Binders or dialysis may help eliminate excess potassium, depending on the clinical situation. ⚠️ NCLEX TRAP: Don't confuse protecting the heart with lowering potassium! Remember this sequence: 🫀 PROTECT THE HEART 💉 SHIFT THE POTASSIUM 🩸 REMOVE THE POTASSIUM When severe hyperkalemia causes ECG changes, immediate cardiac stabilization is a priority. These emergency treatments may be started close together. 💡 NCLEX Tip: Calcium gluconate does NOT remove potassium, and insulin only temporarily shifts it! 🧠 NCLEX Challenge: Your patient's potassium is 6.3 mEq/L with peaked T waves. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering immediately? 📚 Need NCLEX study guides and review notes? Find my Linktree on my TikTok profile! 🎥 For more NCLEX tutorials and practice questions, search Nursing Student Avenger on YouTube! 💚 Future nurses. Unstoppable. #NCLEX #NCLEXReview #Hyperkalemia #PeakedTWaves #CalciumGluconate #NursingPharmacology #CriticalCareNursing #NCLEXPrioritization #ClinicalJudgment #nursingstudentproblems - @nursingstudentavenger