Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CCT Practice Questions and Study Guide

The answer is supported by the fact that hypokalemia specifically refers to a lower than normal level of potassium in the blood. Potassium is an essential electrolyte that plays a critical role in various bodily functions, including nerve transmission, muscle function, and maintaining fluid balance. When a patient is diagnosed with hypokalemia, the lab tests will show decreased potassium levels as a defining characteristic of this condition.

Elevated creatinine levels are more commonly associated with kidney dysfunction rather than hypokalemia itself. Increased potassium levels directly contradict the definition of hypokalemia, as they indicate hyperkalemia instead. High sodium levels may occur in different contexts but do not specifically relate to the diagnosis of hypokalemia. Thus, the correct association with hypokalemia is clearly the presence of decreased potassium levels in the lab findings.