CPNRE Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Ace Your Canadian Practical Nurse Registration!

Hypokalemia refers to a lower than normal level of potassium in the blood. Normal potassium levels typically range from about 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. When considering hypokalemia specifically, it is characterized by serum potassium levels that fall below the normal threshold.

The correct answer highlights that hypokalemia is classified when potassium levels are less than 3.5 mEq/L. This range indicates that any reading below this value signifies a deficiency in potassium, which can lead to various physiological disturbances such as muscle weakness, arrhythmias, and changes in neuromuscular function.

In contrast, other ranges provided are either indicating normal potassium levels or higher than the hypokalemic threshold. For instance, normal levels start at 3.5, and thus values above this level are not considered hypokalemia. Understanding these normal ranges is crucial for recognizing and managing potassium imbalances in a clinical setting.