A client is prescribed oral potassium supplements for hypokalemia. The nurse instructs the client to take the medication:
With food or a full glass of water.
On an empty stomach with a sip of water.
With milk or antacids to prevent irritation.
With grapefruit juice to enhance absorption.
The Correct Answer is A
Oral potassium supplements can cause stomach irritation or laxative effect if taken without enough fluid or food.
Taking the medication with food or a full glass of water can help prevent these side effects and improve absorption.
Choice B is wrong because taking the medication on an empty stomach with a sip of water can increase the risk of stomach irritation or laxative effect and reduce absorption.
Choice C is wrong because taking the medication with milk or antacids can interfere with the absorption of potassium and cause hyperkalemia (high blood potassium levels).
Choice D is wrong because taking the medication with grapefruit juice can also interfere with the absorption of potassium and cause hyperkalemia.
Grapefruit juice can also interact with some medications that affect potassium levels, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and potassium- sparing diuretics.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
This is because intravenous potassium supplementation is indicated for patients with profound hypokalemia (plasma K+ <2.5 mmol/L) or cardiac arrhythmia. The rate of infusion should not exceed 10 mmol/hour to prevent complications such as hyperkalemia, cardiac arrhythmias, and phlebitis.
Choice A is wrong because monitoring urine output every 8 hours is not sufficient to prevent complications from intravenous potassium replacement therapy.
Urine output should be monitored more frequently (at least every 4 hours) to assess renal function and fluid balance.
Choice B is wrong because administering potassium via a bolus injection is dangerous and can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
Potassium should never be given by intravenous push or intramuscular injection.
Choice D is wrong because encouraging the client to eat potassium-rich foods is not appropriate for patients receiving intravenous potassium replacement therapy.
Oral potassium supplementation is preferred for patients with mild to moderate hypokalemia (plasma K+ 2.5-3.5 mmol/L) who can eat and absorb oral potassium.
Potassium-rich foods include potatoes, legumes, juices, seafood, leafy greens, dairy, tomatoes and bananas.
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]
Explanation
Hypercalcemia is a condition in which the calcium level in the blood is above normal.
This can cause various symptoms, such as confusion, constipation, and bradycardia (slow heart rate).
These are the clinical manifestations that the nurse would expect to observe in a client with hypercalcemia.
Choice A is wrong because muscle spasms are not a common symptom of hypercalcemia.
In fact, hypercalcemia can cause muscle weakness and pain.
Choice E is wrong because polyuria (excessive urination) is not a direct symptom of hypercalcemia, but rather a result of kidney problems caused by hypercalcemia.
Hypercalcemia can make the kidneys work harder to filter the excess calcium, leading to dehydration and thirst.
However, this does not necessarily mean that the client will have polyuria.
Normal ranges for calcium levels in the blood are 8.5 to 10.2 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) or 2.1 to 2.6 mmol/L (millimoles per liter).
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