Which electrolyte should be monitored before administering succinylcholine?

The correct choice is potassium because succinylcholine is a depolarizing neuromuscular blocker that leads to a transient increase in serum potassium levels. This occurs due to the drug's action of mimicking acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, which can cause potassium to be released from the intracellular space into the bloodstream.

Monitoring potassium levels before administering succinylcholine is crucial because hyperkalemia (elevated potassium levels) can result in potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Patients with conditions that predispose them to hyperkalemia, such as severe burns, trauma, or neuromuscular diseases, are at a higher risk when given succinylcholine.

The other electrolytes, while important in various physiological processes, do not have the same direct relationship with succinylcholine administration. Calcium plays a role in muscle contraction but is not directly impacted by succinylcholine. Chloride and sodium levels are also significant in maintaining overall electrolyte balance but do not have the same critical association with the effects or safety considerations of succinylcholine.