A client diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) has a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L. Which of the following priority actions should the nurse implement?
Instruct the client to avoid high-potassium foods.
Redraw the potassium to verify results.
Check the client's blood pressure.
Obtain a serum sodium level.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Instruct the client to avoid high-potassium foods: While important for long-term management, it is not the priority when the client is experiencing hyperkalemia, as immediate interventions are necessary to prevent complications.
B. Redraw the potassium to verify results: Redrawing the potassium may be necessary if there is concern about sample contamination or if the result is significantly different from what is expected. However, it is not the priority when the client is at risk of complications from hyperkalemia.
C. Check the client's blood pressure: This is the priority action because hyperkalemia can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias, including potentially life-threatening arrhythmias. Checking the blood pressure helps assess the client's cardiovascular status and any potential effects of hyperkalemia on cardiac function.
D. Obtain a serum sodium level: While monitoring electrolyte levels is important in ESRD, sodium levels are not the priority when the client is experiencing hyperkalemia. Monitoring potassium and managing its effects take precedence.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. "I get chest pain from time to time, but it usually resolves with rest.": While chest pain (angina) can occur with aortic stenosis, it is not as specific as the symptom described in option D. Angina could be related to various other cardiac conditions, including coronary artery disease.
B. "Sometimes when I'm resting, I can feel my heart skip a beat.": Palpitations or feeling like the heart skips a beat are common in many cardiac arrhythmias but are not specifically indicative of aortic stenosis.
C. "My feet and ankles have gotten very puffy the last few weeks.": Edema (puffy feet and ankles) is more commonly associated with right-sided heart failure or other conditions like chronic venous insufficiency, not specifically aortic stenosis.
D. "Whenever I do any form of exercise, I get very short of breath.": Dyspnea on exertion is a classic symptom of aortic stenosis. It occurs because the narrowed aortic valve obstructs blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta, reducing cardiac output and causing exertional symptoms.
Correct Answer is ["A","C","D"]
Explanation
A. Health care providers should be told about the diagnosis to deliver safe care: Health care providers need to know the client's diagnosis to provide appropriate and safe care. This includes administering medications, assessing for opportunistic infections, and implementing preventive measures.
B. Most people in current society would be accepting of the diagnosis: While stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS has decreased over time, disclosure is a personal decision, and not all individuals may be accepting of the diagnosis. Therefore, this statement may not always be accurate.
C. Intimate partners should be told so they can protect themselves: Disclosing the diagnosis to intimate partners is essential for their health and well-being, as it allows them to take necessary precautions to prevent transmission of the virus.
D. The diagnosis is reportable to the state health department: In many jurisdictions, HIV/AIDS diagnoses are reportable to the state health department for surveillance and public health monitoring purposes. This reporting is typically done without disclosing the client's identity.
E. Secrecy about the diagnosis is the privilege of the client: While confidentiality is crucial, it's important to balance it with public health considerations and the well-being of others who may be at risk of infection.
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