What intervention should be prioritized when a potassium level of 3.2 is reported?

A potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L indicates hypokalemia, which can lead to serious complications, especially affecting cardiac function and muscle contractility. Therefore, the priority intervention in this situation is to infuse potassium chloride intravenously. This method allows for rapid correction of potassium levels compared to oral supplementation, which may take much longer for the body to absorb and utilize.

Infusing potassium chloride IV directly addresses the low potassium level in a controlled manner, allowing for precise monitoring of the patient’s response to treatment. Additionally, intravenous administration allows for more immediate effects, which is crucial in preventing possible cardiac arrhythmias associated with severely low potassium levels.

While other interventions, such as administering oral potassium supplements or scheduling a repeat potassium test, may be considered later, they do not provide the immediate correction needed for clinical safety in a patient with such a critically low level of potassium. Reducing dietary potassium intake would be inappropriate in this context, as the patient needs potassium replenishment rather than restriction.