You are working on the cardiac unit and you have noticed that a patient’s potassium is 6.1 mEq/L. You have notified the provider and removed the banana from his meal tray. When explaining your actions to the patient, which of these statements is appropriate?
Your potassium levels in your blood are higher than they should be, which brings a risk of changes in kidney function.
The amount of potassium in your blood is too high, but I will change your intravenous fluids.
Your potassium level is high so I need you to let me know if you feel numbness, tingling, or weakness.
I need to monitor you for signs of high potassium; tell me if you feel as if your heart is beating quickly.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: Linking high potassium to kidney function risk is inaccurate; hyperkalemia primarily affects cardiac and neuromuscular function. Numbness, tingling, or weakness are direct symptoms, making this statement less relevant for patient education and incorrect.
Choice B reason: Changing IV fluids may be a treatment but doesn’t explain the issue or engage the patient. Asking to report numbness, tingling, or weakness directly addresses hyperkalemia symptoms, making this less appropriate and incorrect.
Choice C reason: High potassium (6.1 mEq/L) can cause numbness, tingling, or weakness. Instructing the patient to report these symptoms ensures early detection of worsening hyperkalemia, making this the correct, patient-centered statement for education.
Choice D reason: Palpitations may occur, but numbness, tingling, and weakness are more specific to hyperkalemia’s neuromuscular effects. “Quick beating” is less precise for heart rhythm issues, so this is incorrect compared to option c.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Pyuria, urgency, and frequency are typical UTI symptoms, but elderly patients often present with atypical signs like confusion. Confusion is more prominent in this age group, so this is less specific and incorrect.
Choice B reason: Dysuria, frequency, and suprapubic pain are common UTI symptoms, but elderly patients may show confusion instead of classic signs. Confusion and frequency are more likely, so this is incorrect.
Choice C reason: In elderly patients (85 years), UTIs often cause confusion due to altered mental status, alongside frequency. Atypical symptoms like confusion are common, making this the correct manifestation for this age group.
Choice D reason: Hematuria and flank pain suggest complicated UTIs or kidney issues, not typical in elderly UTI presentation. Confusion and frequency are more expected, so this is incorrect.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Hyperperfusion, or excessive renal blood flow, is not a common cause of prerenal AKI. Prerenal AKI results from reduced renal perfusion, like hypovolemia or hypotension, not increased flow, making this an incorrect cause for the condition.
Choice B reason: Ischemia, due to reduced renal perfusion from hypovolemia, hypotension, or shock, is the most common cause of prerenal AKI. It impairs glomerular filtration, leading to acute renal dysfunction, reversible with restored perfusion, making this the correct cause.
Choice C reason: Nephrotoxic drugs cause intrinsic AKI by directly damaging renal tubules, not prerenal AKI, which stems from reduced blood flow. While significant, nephrotoxicity is less common than ischemic causes in prerenal AKI, making this incorrect.
Choice D reason: Urinary tract obstruction causes postrenal AKI by blocking urine outflow, not prerenal AKI, which involves pre-renal hypoperfusion. Obstruction is a distinct mechanism, less frequent than ischemia in prerenal cases, making this an incorrect cause.
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