During which situation should the nurse assess the patient’s hemoglobin and potassium levels?

Assessing a patient's hemoglobin and potassium levels is particularly critical in the case of hemolysis. Hemolysis refers to the destruction of red blood cells, which can lead to the release of hemoglobin into the bloodstream. This process can significantly impact the patient's hemoglobin levels. Furthermore, during hemolysis, there is a risk of potassium being released from the lysed red blood cells, which can cause hyperkalemia, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by elevated potassium levels in the blood.

Monitoring both hemoglobin and potassium is essential for ensuring patient safety and appropriate management following an incident of hemolysis. The nurse must be vigilant about these levels to prevent complications and to inform necessary interventions or treatment adjustments.

In contrast, while clotted dialyzers, heparin overdoses, and disinfectant infusions can lead to various complications requiring assessment, they do not directly necessitate the specific monitoring of hemoglobin and potassium levels in the same immediate and critical way that an incident of hemolysis does.