A nurse is assisting with a presentation about caring for clients who are receiving diuretic therapy. The nurse should explain that which of the following medications can put clients at risk for hyperkalemia?

(A) “Incorporate walking into your daily routine.”: This is the most appropriate instruction for a client with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Regular exercise, such as walking, can help improve circulation, increase the distance a person can walk without pain, and promote overall cardiovascular health. It’s important to start slow and gradually increase the duration and intensity of the exercise as tolerated. The client should be advised to stop and rest if they experience any pain.

(B) “Elevate your legs while in bed.”: While elevating the legs can help reduce swelling in some conditions, it’s not typically recommended for clients with PAD. Elevation can actually decrease arterial blood flow to the legs, which could worsen symptoms.

(c) “Shop for new shoes during the morning hours.”: This instruction is more relevant for clients with conditions that cause foot swelling, such as heart failure or venous insufficiency. In PAD, the size of the feet does not typically change throughout the day.

(D) “Wear knee length stockings.”: Compression stockings are often used to improve venous circulation in conditions like deep vein thrombosis or chronic venous insufficiency. However, they’re not typically recommended for clients with PAD as they can restrict arterial blood flow.

A. Small for gestational age:

While being small for gestational age can contribute to respiratory difficulties in newborns, it is not directly associated with respiratory distress syndrome or respiratory acidosis. Other factors, such as prematurity or intrauterine growth restriction, may play a more significant role.

B. Cesarean birth:

Cesarean birth can predispose newborns to respiratory difficulties, including respiratory distress syndrome. During vaginal birth, the compression of the chest during passage through the birth canal helps expel lung fluid, whereas babies born via cesarean section may have more retained lung fluid, leading to respiratory distress.

C. Ventricular septal defect:

Ventricular septal defect is a congenital heart defect and is not directly associated with respiratory distress syndrome or respiratory acidosis. However, congenital heart defects can affect the cardiovascular system, leading to respiratory compromise in some cases.

D. Maternal history of asthma:

While maternal asthma can increase the risk of respiratory problems in newborns, it is not directly related to respiratory distress syndrome or respiratory acidosis. Maternal asthma may increase the likelihood of the newborn developing asthma or other respiratory conditions later in life.