5th April 2024

An 82-year-old nursing home resident is brought in by ambulance following three days of diarrhoea and vomiting and decreased oral intake.

An 82-year-old nursing home resident is brought in by ambulance following three days of diarrhoea and vomiting and decreased oral intake. Her past medical history is significant for hypertension, asthma and transient ischaemic attacks. Her current medications include salbutamol inhaler, bendroflumethiazide, theophylline and clopidogrel. On examination, she appears clinically dry with reduced skin turgor and dry mucous membranes. Her oxygen saturations are 97% on room air; blood pressure 109/77 mmHg, heart rate 98 beats per minute, respiratory rate 16 breaths per minute and temperature 37.3 degrees Celsius.

Admission serum potassium returns at 2.4 mmol/L and magnesium is 0.67 mmol/L. The ECG shows T wave flattening and the presence of U waves. Which of the following options is the most appropriate step in her management? 

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.