The nurse is caring for a client with a critically high potassium level. The client has received sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate). The nurse determines the medication's effectiveness if the client's repeat serum potassium level is:
4.9 mEq/L
5.5 mEq/L
6.2 mEq/L
5.8 meq/L
The Correct Answer is A
Rationale:
A. A potassium level of 4.9 mEq/L is within the normal reference range (typically 3.5–5.0 mEq/L), indicating that the hyperkalemia has been successfully corrected.
B. A potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L is still above normal and does not suggest full effectiveness of the treatment.
C. A potassium level of 6.2 mEq/L remains critically high and indicates that the medication was not effective.
D. A potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L is still elevated and may continue to pose cardiac risks, suggesting partial or no effectiveness.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Increased bowel sounds are more commonly associated with conditions like diarrhea or early bowel obstruction, not hypokalemia.
B. Numbness in the feet is more characteristic of peripheral neuropathy or hypocalcemia, not a typical early sign of hypokalemia.
C. A positive Trousseau's sign indicates hypocalcemia, not hypokalemia.
D. Reports of fatigue are a common and early manifestation of hypokalemia due to muscle weakness and decreased cellular function resulting from low potassium levels.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. pH: 7.49 is elevated (normal range: 7.35–7.45), indicating alkalosis. PaCO₂: 30 mmHg is low (normal range: 35–45 mmHg), reflecting respiratory alkalosis. HCO₃⁻: 23 mEq/L is normal (normal range: 22–26 mEq/L) → Not a metabolic cause. PaO₂: 96 mmHg and SaO₂: 98% indicates normal oxygenation. Since the pH is high (alkalotic), and the PaCO₂ is low (respiratory alkalosis cause), and HCO₃⁻ is normal, the imbalance is uncompensated respiratory alkalosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis would show high pH and high HCO₃⁻
C. Respiratory acidosis would show low pH and high PaCO₂
D. Metabolic acidosis would show low pH and low HCO₃⁻
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