The nurse monitoring a client receiving peritoneal dialysis notes that the client’s outflow is less than the inflow. Which actions would the nurse take? (Select all that apply)

Choice A reason: A potassium level of 7.0 mEq/L risks lethal arrhythmias, necessitating cardiac monitoring. This aligns with hyperkalemia management, making it a correct priority action the nurse would plan to ensure the client’s safety and detect cardiac changes promptly.

Choice B reason: Notifying the provider is critical for a potassium level of 7.0 mEq/L, as urgent interventions like insulin or dialysis may be needed. This aligns with acute care protocols, making it a correct priority action for the nurse to address hyperkalemia.

Choice C reason: NPO status with ice chips is unrelated to hyperkalemia management, which focuses on lowering potassium. Cardiac monitoring is a priority, making this incorrect, as it’s not relevant to the nurse’s urgent actions for a client with severe hyperkalemia.

Choice D reason: Reviewing medications identifies potassium-containing or retaining drugs, preventing further elevation of 7.0 mEq/L. This aligns with hyperkalemia treatment, making it a correct priority action the nurse would plan to manage the client’s electrolyte imbalance effectively.

Choice E reason: Extra IV fluids (500 mL) may dilute potassium but risk fluid overload in acute kidney injury. Notifying the provider is more urgent, making this incorrect, as it’s not a priority compared to the nurse’s focus on immediate hyperkalemia interventions.

Choice A reason: Hypercalcemia is not associated with ulcerative colitis, which affects the colon and causes diarrhea. Bloody stools are typical, making this incorrect, as it’s unrelated to the nurse’s expected findings in a client with ulcerative colitis during assessment.

Choice B reason: Hypernatremia may occur with dehydration but isn’t specific to ulcerative colitis. Frequent bloody stools are hallmark signs, making this incorrect, as it’s not a primary finding compared to the nurse’s expected manifestations in ulcerative colitis diagnosis.

Choice C reason: Frothy, fatty stools indicate malabsorption, typical in Crohn’s or pancreatic issues, not ulcerative colitis. Bloody stools are correct, making this incorrect, as it doesn’t align with the nurse’s anticipated findings in a client with ulcerative colitis.

Choice D reason: Bloody stool is a classic finding in ulcerative colitis due to mucosal inflammation and ulceration. This aligns with gastrointestinal assessment, making it a correct finding the nurse would determine is consistent with the client’s ulcerative colitis diagnosis.

Choice E reason: 10 to 20 liquid stools daily reflect severe diarrhea, a key feature of ulcerative colitis exacerbations. This aligns with clinical manifestations, making it a correct finding the nurse would identify in a client diagnosed with ulcerative colitis during assessment.

Choice F reason: Right lower quadrant pain is more typical of Crohn’s or appendicitis, not ulcerative colitis, which affects the left colon. Left quadrant pain is correct, making this incorrect, as it doesn’t support the nurse’s findings for ulcerative colitis diagnosis.

Choice G reason: Left lower quadrant pain is consistent with ulcerative colitis, as inflammation often affects the sigmoid colon. This aligns with abdominal assessment, making it a correct finding the nurse would expect in a client with ulcerative colitis during evaluation.