A 42-year-old patient is newly diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The patient asks, "Can this be cured?" Which of the following treatment goals are appropriate for a patient with IBD? (Select all that apply.)

Choice A rationale
Monitoring calcium levels is important after administering calcium gluconate IV, but it is not the primary indicator of the medication's effectiveness in treating hyperkalemia. Calcium gluconate is used in hyperkalemia to stabilize the heart muscle, not to correct calcium levels.

Choice B rationale
Neurologic status may be affected by hyperkalemia, but changes in neurologic status are not the most direct measure of calcium gluconate's effectiveness. The medication's primary role is to address cardiac risks associated with high potassium levels.

Choice C rationale
Cardiac rhythm is the most critical aspect to monitor after administering calcium gluconate for hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias, and calcium gluconate works by stabilizing the cardiac membrane, thus the effectiveness of the treatment is directly reflected in the stabilization of the cardiac rhythm.

Choice D rationale
While urine volume can indicate kidney function and might indirectly reflect changes in potassium levels, it is not the direct measure of calcium gluconate's effectiveness in the emergency treatment of hyperkalemia.

Choice A rationale
Elevated blood pressure is a common finding in cardiovascular conditions but is not specifically indicated by the presence of crackles, dyspnea on exertion, or an S3 gallop.

Choice B rationale
A decreased respiratory rate is not typically associated with the presence of crackles and dyspnea; these symptoms are more indicative of increased work of breathing and potential fluid overload.

Choice C rationale
Pitting edema is a classic sign of fluid retention, which can be associated with heart failure. The presence of crackles, dyspnea on exertion, and an S3 gallop are clinical indicators that suggest heart failure, making pitting edema a likely finding.

Choice D rationale
An irregular pulse may be found in various cardiac conditions but is not directly suggested by the symptoms described. The presence of an S3 gallop is more indicative of heart failure, which is commonly associated with fluid overload signs such as pitting edema.