If a client has a potassium level of 6.2 mEq, what should the nurse do first?

When a client presents with a potassium level of 6.2 mEq, this indicates hyperkalemia, which can lead to serious cardiac complications. The first priority in this situation is to notify the primary health care provider. This action is crucial because hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrhythmias, and immediate medical intervention may be required.

Notifying the healthcare provider allows for timely medical assessment and intervention, which could include administering treatments like calcium gluconate, insulin and glucose, or diuretics, depending on the severity and any specific symptoms the patient may be experiencing. This step is critical in ensuring the patient receives the appropriate level of care as quickly as possible.

While monitoring vital signs every 15 minutes and requesting an ECG are also important steps in the management of hyperkalemia, these actions are typically part of ongoing patient care after the healthcare provider has been alerted. Starting potassium-rich foods would be counterproductive in this scenario, as the goal is to manage the high potassium levels rather than increase them further.