A client who has acute glomerulonephritis is hospitalized with hyperkalemia. Which information will the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of the prescribed calcium gluconate IV?
Neurologic status
Urine volume
Cardiac rhythm
Calcium level
The Correct Answer is C
A. Neurologic status is important to monitor but is not directly related to evaluating calcium gluconate's effect on hyperkalemia.
B. Urine volume would not directly reflect the immediate effects of calcium gluconate in managing hyperkalemia.
C. Calcium gluconate is given to protect the heart from the effects of hyperkalemia by stabilizing the cardiac membrane. Monitoring the cardiac rhythm is essential to assess the effectiveness of the treatment.
D. The calcium level is relevant for monitoring the calcium treatment, but cardiac rhythm is a more immediate indicator of its effectiveness.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Bleeding precautions are not required as the issue pertains to neutropenia, not thrombocytopenia.
B. Placing the client in a private room is appropriate as the ANC calculation (WBC × [% neutrophils]) indicates severe neutropenia, increasing the risk of infection.
C. Simply documenting findings does not address the client’s increased infection risk.
D. Blood cultures and antibiotics may be needed later but require additional signs of infection to proceed.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Hypercalcemia (Calcium > 10.5 mg/dL) can lead to shortened QT intervals, not prolonged ones, and is unlikely to cause Torsades de Pointes.
B. A magnesium level of 3.1 mEq/L is slightly elevated and would not contribute to QT prolongation or Torsades de Pointes. In fact, magnesium supplementation is a treatment for this condition.
C. Hypokalemia (Potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) can prolong the QT interval and contribute to dysrhythmias, but it is less commonly a direct cause of Torsades de Pointes compared to hypomagnesemia. A potassium level of 2.6 mEq/L is low but would not typically result in Torsades without coexisting hypomagnesemia.
D. Hypomagnesemia (Magnesium < 1.5 mEq/L) disrupts the heart's electrical activity, prolonging the QT interval and increasing the risk of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, like Torsades de Pointes. Magnesium is critical for stabilizing myocardial electrical conduction, and a value of 1.1 mEq/L indicates significant deficiency, consistent with this dysrhythmia.
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