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 B
Explanation
A. Calcium gluconate is used to treat or prevent calcium deficiencies and to manage conditions related to calcium imbalances, such as hypocalcemia. It is not typically used to prevent struvite stones.
B. Antibiotics are the most appropriate choice for preventing the recurrence of struvite stones. Since struvite stones are associated with urinary tract infections caused by urease-producing bacteria, antibiotic therapy is aimed at eliminating these infections. By treating or preventing UTIs, the conditions that lead to struvite stone formation are addressed, reducing the likelihood of recurrence.
C. Tamsulosin is an alpha-blocker used to relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck to improve urine flow in conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is not specifically used for preventing struvite stones.
D. Phosphate binders are used to reduce phosphate levels in the blood, which is important in managing conditions such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) where phosphate levels can be elevated.
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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