The nurse is caring for the patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The patient's serum potassium level is critically low, which places the patient at risk for which complication?
Select one:
Increased edema
Seizures
Respiratory depression
Cardiac Dysrhythmias
The Correct Answer is D
A. Edema is more commonly due to fluid overload and impaired renal excretion of sodium and water, not primarily caused by low potassium levels.
B. Seizures are more typically linked to electrolyte imbalances such as low sodium or low calcium, not potassium.
C. Respiratory depression is more commonly associated with opioid use, high magnesium, or neuromuscular suppression, not hypokalemia.
D. Critically low potassium (hypokalemia) impairs normal cardiac conduction and increases the risk for life-threatening arrhythmias, making this the most dangerous and priority complication to monitor for.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. According to ACS guidelines, women at average risk for breast cancer should begin annual mammograms at age 40.
B. While sigmoidoscopies are part of colorectal cancer screening, they typically begin at age 45, not 40, for average-risk individuals.
C. Fecal occult blood testing is recommended annually starting at age 45, not 40.
D. Pap smears are now recommended every 3 years for women aged 21 to 29, and for women aged 30 to 65, Pap testing every 3 years or every 5 years with HPV co-testing. Annual testing is no longer recommended unless there's a clinical indication.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. While nausea and vomiting are common side effects of many chemotherapy agents, this is not specific to vesicants, which are drugs that can cause tissue damage if they leak outside the vein.
B. Vesicant chemotherapy agents can cause severe tissue damage, necrosis, and ulceration if they extravasate (leak into surrounding tissue). Close monitoring of the IV site for signs of redness, swelling, or pain is essential.
C. This may indicate gastrointestinal or bladder irritation from other types of chemotherapy agents, but it is not the hallmark concern with vesicants.
D. This is unrelated to vesicant properties. Orthostatic hypotension may occur from dehydration or autonomic effects, but not from vesicant infiltration.
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