A home health nurse is making a home visit to a client who takes a daily diuretic for heart failure. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse identify as indicating the client is hypokalemic?
Dyspnea
Oliguria
Pitting edema
Fatigue
The Correct Answer is D
Hypokalemia is a low serum potassium level, usually below 3.5 mEq/L. It can be caused by diuretics that increase potassium excretion, such as thiazides or loop diuretics. Potassium is essential for normal muscle and nerve function, and hypokalemia can impair cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle activity. Symptoms of hypokalemia include fatigue, weakness, muscle cramps, arrhythmias, constipation, and hyporeflexia.
- Dyspnea is difficulty or labored breathing that can be caused by various respiratory or cardiac conditions, such as asthma, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, or heart failure. It is not a specific sign of hypokalemia, although severe hypokalemia can affect respiratory muscle function and cause respiratory failure.
- Oliguria is a reduced urine output, usually less than 400 mL per day or 30 mL per hour. It can be caused by various renal or fluid balance disorders, such as acute kidney injury, dehydration, or shock. It is not a specific sign of hypokalemia, although severe hypokalemia can impair renal function and cause renal failure.
- Pitting edema is a swelling of the tissues that leaves an indentation when pressed with a finger. It can be caused by various fluid retention disorders, such as heart failure, liver cirrhosis, or nephrotic syndrome. It is not a specific sign of hypokalemia, although severe hypokalemia can affect fluid and electrolyte balance and cause edema.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Hemorrhagic stroke is a type of stroke that occurs when a blood vessel ruptures in the brain, causing bleeding and increased intracranial pressure. The client's symptoms of sudden, severe headache, vomiting, seizure, and
unresponsiveness are consistent with hemorrhagic stroke. The client's elevated blood pressure and temperature are also risk factors for hemorrhagic stroke.
Thrombotic stroke is a type of stroke that occurs when a blood clot forms in an artery that supplies blood to the brain, causing ischemia and tissue damage. The client's symptoms are not typical of thrombotic stroke, which usually has a gradual onset and affects one side of the body.
Transient ischemic atack (TIA) is a temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain, causing neurologic deficits that resolve within 24 hours. The client's symptoms are not indicative of TIA, which does not cause loss of consciousness or permanent brain damage.
Embolic stroke is a type of stroke that occurs when a blood clot or other debris travels from another part of the body to the brain, causing occlusion and ischemia. The client's symptoms are not characteristic of embolic stroke, which usually has a sudden onset and affects one side of the body.
Correct Answer is A
No explanation
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