What should the nurse's immediate action be after discovering a missed prescription for serum potassium levels in a client with acute renal failure?

In a situation where a prescription for serum potassium levels has been missed in a client with acute renal failure, it is crucial to prioritize patient safety and ensure timely follow-up on potential risks associated with potassium imbalances. The immediate action involves ordering the lab work as prescribed and completing an incident report.

Ordering the lab work ensures that the current potassium levels are assessed as soon as possible, which is vital in a patient with renal failure, as they are at high risk for hyperkalemia (elevated potassium levels). Prompt assessment enables the healthcare provider to decide on the necessary interventions, such as administering potassium binders or making dietary adjustments.

Completing an incident report is also important as it documents the oversight for quality assurance and helps in identifying systemic issues that may need to be addressed to prevent future occurrences. This report plays a role in organizational learning and enhancing patient safety protocols.

While notifying the healthcare provider and checking the client's current potassium level are important steps, they come after ensuring that the lab work is ordered. Documentation in the client's medical record is also critical, but the immediate priority should focus on obtaining the necessary lab work as per the prescription to manage the patient’s care effectively. Thus, this combined approach not only adheres to protocols but significantly mitigates