A client is receiving intravenous (IV) potassium replacement therapy.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent complications?
Monitoring urine output every 8 hours.
Administering potassium via a bolus injection.
Administering potassium at a rate no faster than 10-20 mEq/hour.
Encouraging the client to eat potassium-rich foods.
The Correct Answer is C
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Metabolic acidosis is a condition in which there is excess acid in the body fluids.
It causes rapid breathing, confusion, tiredness, headache, and increased heart rate.
Rapid breathing is a compensatory mechanism that helps to lower the carbon dioxide levels and increase the pH of the blood.
Choice B is wrong because decreased respiratory rate would worsen the acidosis by retaining more carbon dioxide and lowering the pH of the blood.
Choice C is wrong because normal respiratory rate would not be adequate to compensate for the metabolic acidosis and would result in acidemia (low blood pH).
Choice D is wrong because irregular respiratory rate is not a typical response to metabolic acidosis and could indicate other problems such as brain injury or drug overdose.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Dysuria, which means pain or a burning sensation when peeing, is a common symptom of urinary tract infection (UTI).
UTIs are caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract through the urethra and spreading to the bladder or kidneys.
Choice A is wrong because nausea is not a specific symptom of UTI, although it may occur if the infection spreads to the kidneys.
Choice B is wrong because diarrhea is not a symptom of UTI, but rather a condition that affects the digestive system.
Choice D is wrong because constipation is also not a symptom of UTI, but a problem with bowel movements.
Normal ranges for urine tests vary depending on the type of test and the laboratory that performs it.
However, some general ranges are:
Specific gravity: 1.005 to 1.030
pH: 4.6 to 8.0
Protein: less than 150 mg/dL Glucose: less than 130 mg/dL Ketones: none
Blood: none Nitrites: none
Leukocyte esterase: none Bacteria: none or few
White blood cells: less than 5 per high-power field Red blood cells: less than 3 per high-power field Epithelial cells: few
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