A nurse is caring for a client who has nausea and is vomiting. The nurse should identify that the client is at risk for which of the following acid-base imbalances?

Choice A reason: Spinach is a good source of potassium, but not the best. According to the USDA, one cup of cooked spinach contains 839 mg of potassium, which is about 18% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) for adults².

Choice B reason: Baked potato is the best source of potassium among the choices. According to the USDA, one medium baked potato with skin contains 941 mg of potassium, which is about 20% of the RDI for adults². Potassium is an essential mineral that helps regulate fluid balance, nerve and muscle function, and blood pressure.

Choice C reason: Banana is a popular source of potassium, but not the best. According to the USDA, one medium banana contains 422 mg of potassium, which is about 9% of the RDI for adults².

Choice D reason: Cheese is a poor source of potassium. According to the USDA, one ounce of cheddar cheese contains only 28 mg of potassium, which is less than 1% of the RDI for adults². Cheese is high in sodium, which can counteract the benefits of potassium and increase the risk of hypertension.

Choice A: Taking the client to the bathroom every 2 hours while awake is not an effective strategy for bowel training. This may disrupt the client's natural bowel rhythm and cause unnecessary stress and frustration. Bowel training aims to establish a regular and predictable time for elimination, not a frequent and arbitrary one¹².
Choice B: Taking the client to the bathroom when they have the urge to defecate is the best option for bowel training. This helps the client to respond to their body's signals and avoid suppressing or delaying the urge. It also reinforces the association between the urge and the act of defecation, which can improve bowel control and prevent constipation¹².
Choice C: Taking the client to the bathroom immediately before meals is not a good idea for bowel training. This may interfere with the client's appetite and digestion, as well as their social and emotional well-being. Bowel training should not be associated with negative or unpleasant feelings. Moreover, eating stimulates the gastrocolic reflex, which increases the motility of the colon and the likelihood of having a bowel movement after a meal¹³.
Choice D: Taking the client to the bathroom after they feel abdominal cramping is not a reliable method for bowel training. Abdominal cramping may indicate various conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, food intolerance, infection, or inflammation. It may not always be related to the need to defecate. Waiting for cramping to occur may also delay the evacuation and worsen the symptoms¹³.