What intervention might be necessary if a diabetic child has high potassium levels?

In the scenario where a diabetic child has high potassium levels, administering insulin intravenously is the most appropriate intervention. Insulin plays a critical role in managing high potassium levels because it facilitates the uptake of potassium into cells. By doing this, insulin helps lower the potassium level in the bloodstream, reducing the risk of complications such as cardiac issues that can arise from hyperkalemia.

While increasing fluid intake, changing intravenous solution to dextrose with potassium, and decreasing potassium-rich foods may be relevant in different contexts of managing a diabetic child’s care or addressing high potassium levels, none of these actions would directly and effectively lower the potassium levels as rapidly or reliably as administering insulin.