A client is receiving intravenous (IV) potassium replacement therapy.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent complications?
Monitoring urine output every 8 hours.
Administering potassium via a bolus injection.
Administering potassium at a rate no faster than 10-20 mEq/hour.
Encouraging the client to eat potassium-rich foods.
The Correct Answer is C
This is because intravenous potassium supplementation is indicated for patients with profound hypokalemia (plasma K+ <2.5 mmol/L) or cardiac arrhythmia. The rate of infusion should not exceed 10 mmol/hour to prevent complications such as hyperkalemia, cardiac arrhythmias, and phlebitis.
Choice A is wrong because monitoring urine output every 8 hours is not sufficient to prevent complications from intravenous potassium replacement therapy.
Urine output should be monitored more frequently (at least every 4 hours) to assess renal function and fluid balance.
Choice B is wrong because administering potassium via a bolus injection is dangerous and can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
Potassium should never be given by intravenous push or intramuscular injection.
Choice D is wrong because encouraging the client to eat potassium-rich foods is not appropriate for patients receiving intravenous potassium replacement therapy.
Oral potassium supplementation is preferred for patients with mild to moderate hypokalemia (plasma K+ 2.5-3.5 mmol/L) who can eat and absorb oral potassium.
Potassium-rich foods include potatoes, legumes, juices, seafood, leafy greens, dairy, tomatoes and bananas.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A. Daily weight.
According to MDCalc, daily weight is the most accurate indicator of fluid loss or gain in acutely ill patients, as it reflects changes in total body water.
A weight change of 1 kg corresponds to a fluid change of approximately 1 L.
Choice B is wrong because intake and output measurements can be inaccurate or incomplete, and do not account for insensible fluid losses.
Choice C is wrong because serum osmolality reflects the concentration of solutes in the blood, not the volume of fluid.
Choice D is wrong because urine specific gravity reflects the concentration of solutes in the urine, not the volume of fluid.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Trousseau’s sign is a test for hypocalcemia that involves inflating a blood pressure cuff on the arm and observing for carpal spasm. A positive sign indicates low calcium levels in the blood, which can cause neuromuscular irritability.
Choice B is wrong because hyperactive deep tendon reflexes are a sign of hypomagnesemia, which is a low level of magnesium in the blood.
Choice C is wrong because hyperactive bowel sounds are a sign of hyperkalemia, which is a high level of potassium in the blood.
Choice D is wrong because muscle twitching can be caused by many factors, such as anxiety, caffeine, or electrolyte imbalance, and is not specific to hypocalcemia.
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