What is the first step when you discover a patient has low potassium levels?

When a patient is discovered to have low potassium levels, the initial step is to assess the heart due to the critical role potassium plays in cardiac function. Potassium is essential for maintaining normal electrical activity in the heart; hence, low levels can result in serious cardiac arrhythmias or complications such as torsades de pointes, a form of ventricular tachycardia. By assessing the heart, the healthcare provider can evaluate for any immediate signs of electrical disturbances, such as changes in heart rate or rhythm, which can guide further interventions and management.

Once the heart is assessed, appropriate treatment strategies can follow based on the findings, ensuring patient safety is prioritized from the outset. Other options like administering potassium or documenting the finding are important steps, but they come after ensuring the patient's cardiovascular health is stable. Reassuring the patient also has its place, but it cannot take precedence over assessing for potentially life-threatening conditions associated with hypokalemia.