A client with chronic renal failure presents with difficulty concentrating, irritability, and muscle cramps. Which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse suspect as the cause of these symptoms?
Hyperkalemia
Hyponatremia
Hypocalcemia
Hyperphosphatemia
The Correct Answer is D
A. Incorrect. Hyperkalemia, or high potassium levels, can cause muscle weakness and potentially cardiac arrhythmias, but it is not typically associated with difficulty concentrating or irritability.
B. Incorrect. Hyponatremia, or low sodium levels, can cause neurological symptoms such as confusion and headache, but it is not typically associated with muscle cramps.
C. Incorrect. Hypocalcemia, or low calcium levels, can cause muscle cramps and neurological symptoms, but it is not specifically associated with difficulty concentrating and irritability.
D. Correct. Hyperphosphatemia, or high phosphorus levels, is common in chronic renal failure due to impaired kidney function. Elevated phosphorus levels can lead to the binding of calcium, resulting in decreased ionized calcium in the blood. This can cause neuromuscular irritability, difficulty concentrating, and muscle cramps.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Incorrect. Peripheral edema and weight gain are more commonly associated with fluid retention in later stages of chronic renal failure when the kidneys are unable to effectively remove excess fluids from the body.
B. Incorrect. Frothy urine and increased urination may indicate proteinuria, a condition where excessive protein is excreted in the urine. While proteinuria can be a symptom of kidney dysfunction, it is not an early symptom.
C. Incorrect. Hypertension and headache can be associated with chronic renal failure, but they are not specific to early stages of kidney dysfunction.
D. Correct. Fatigue and decreased appetite are early clinical manifestations of kidney dysfunction in chronic renal failure. The kidneys play a vital role in filtering waste products and toxins from the blood, and when kidney function is compromised, it can lead to a buildup of waste products in the body, causing fatigue and decreased appetite.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Incorrect. Reducing protein intake can lead to calcium loss and bone fractures in clients with chronic renal failure, as it may affect
bone health.
B. Correct. Limiting protein intake is a common dietary recommendation for clients with chronic renal failure to reduce the workload on the kidneys and slow the progression of kidney damage. Protein metabolism produces waste products that the kidneys must filter and excrete, and reducing protein intake can help alleviate this burden on the already compromised kidneys.
C. Incorrect. Decreasing protein intake may not necessarily improve appetite or overall nutritional status, as protein is essential for maintaining body functions and tissue repair.
D. Incorrect. While reducing protein intake can result in fewer waste products being generated, the primary reason for limiting protein intake in chronic renal failure is to reduce the strain on the kidneys, not solely to decrease waste production.
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