A patient who has is hospitalized with hyperkalemia. Which information will the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of the acute glomerulonephritis prescribed calcium gluconate IV?
Calcium level
Neurologic status
Cardiac rhythm
Urine volume
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Monitoring calcium levels is important after administering calcium gluconate IV, but it is not the primary indicator of the medication's effectiveness in treating hyperkalemia. Calcium gluconate is used in hyperkalemia to stabilize the heart muscle, not to correct calcium levels.
Choice B rationale
Neurologic status may be affected by hyperkalemia, but changes in neurologic status are not the most direct measure of calcium gluconate's effectiveness. The medication's primary role is to address cardiac risks associated with high potassium levels.
Choice C rationale
Cardiac rhythm is the most critical aspect to monitor after administering calcium gluconate for hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias, and calcium gluconate works by stabilizing the cardiac membrane, thus the effectiveness of the treatment is directly reflected in the stabilization of the cardiac rhythm.
Choice D rationale
While urine volume can indicate kidney function and might indirectly reflect changes in potassium levels, it is not the direct measure of calcium gluconate's effectiveness in the emergency treatment of hyperkalemia.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","E"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Proteinuria, or the presence of an abnormal amount of protein in the urine, is a hallmark sign of glomerulonephritis. It occurs due to the increased permeability of the glomerular filtration barrier.
Choice B rationale
Hypertension is often associated with glomerulonephritis. The damage to the glomeruli can lead to salt and water retention, contributing to high blood pressure.
Choice C rationale
Periorbital edema, which is swelling around the eyes, is a common early symptom of glomerulonephritis. It is caused by fluid retention and leakage into the tissue.
Choice D rationale
Hypotension is not typically associated with glomerulonephritis. In fact, hypertension is more common due to the reasons mentioned above.
Choice E rationale
Hematuria, or blood in the urine, is another common finding in glomerulonephritis. It results from the inflammation and damage to the glomeruli, allowing red blood cells to leak into the urine.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Liver cirrhosis is the most common cause of esophageal varices and portal hypertension. Cirrhosis leads to scarring of the liver, which impedes blood flow through the portal vein, causing increased pressure (portal hypertension) and the development of collateral blood vessels (varices) as the body attempts to bypass the blockage.
Choice B rationale
Throat lacerations are not related to the development of esophageal varices or portal hypertension. They are typically acute injuries and do not cause the chronic changes seen in the vasculature associated with these conditions.
Choice C rationale
Kyphosis, a curvature of the spine, does not cause esophageal varices or portal hypertension. It is a structural skeletal condition and does not affect the vasculature of the esophagus or the portal venous system.
Choice D rationale
While squamous cell cancer can occur in the esophagus, it is not a typical cause of portal hypertension or esophageal varices. These varices are usually a result of increased pressure in the portal vein, not directly from a malignancy.
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