A client with acute kidney injury (AKI) has a serum potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L. The nurse recognizes that administering IV calcium gluconate to this client will result in which of the following effects?
Potassium will be removed from the body and excreted in the stool.
The heart will be protected from dysrhythmias while the serum potassium is elevated.
Potassium will temporarily shift from the blood into the cells.
Serum potassium levels will increase further due to this medication being administered.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Calcium gluconate does not directly affect the elimination of potassium from the body or its excretion in the stool. It does not act on the kidneys or gastrointestinal tract to remove potassium. Its primary role is to stabilize the cardiac membrane.
B. Calcium gluconate stabilizes the cardiac membrane and reduces the risk of dysrhythmias associated with elevated serum potassium levels. Hyperkalemia can increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias, and calcium gluconate helps to counteract these effects by protecting the heart muscle.
C. Calcium gluconate does not cause potassium to shift from the blood into the cells. The shift of potassium into cells is typically induced by other treatments such as insulin and glucose or beta- agonists. Calcium gluconate does not have this effect.
D. Calcium gluconate does not increase serum potassium levels. It primarily serves to protect the heart from the effects of high potassium levels. It does not have a direct effect on the potassium level itself but helps manage the consequences of hyperkalemia.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. A prostate examination is typically performed for issues related to the prostate, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer. It is not relevant to diagnosing or managing acute glomerulonephritis, which is related to kidney inflammation rather than prostate issues.
B. A blood glucose check is used to diagnose and manage diabetes. While diabetes can contribute to chronic kidney disease, it is not the primary test for diagnosing acute glomerulonephritis or identifying its most common cause.
C. Genetic testing is useful for diagnosing inherited conditions or genetic predispositions to diseases. However, acute glomerulonephritis is typically caused by an infection or an autoimmune reaction, and genetic testing is not the primary diagnostic tool for this condition.
D. Antistreptolysin-O (ASO) titers are tests used to detect antibodies produced in response to a streptococcal infection. Elevated ASO titers indicate a recent streptococcal infection, which is the most common cause of post-infectious acute glomerulonephritis.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. This is a pre-renal cause of acute kidney injury, related to decreased blood flow to the kidneys.
B. This is a post-renal cause of acute kidney injury, as it obstructs the outflow of urine.
C. This is an intrarenal cause of acute kidney injury, directly affecting the kidney tissue.
D. This is an intrarenal cause of acute kidney injury, related to damage to the small blood vessels in the kidneys.
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