A nurse is caring for a client who has a serum potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L. The provider prescribes polystyrene sulfonate. If this medication is effective, the nurse should expect which of the following changes on the client's ECG?

Restoration of QRS Complex amplitude.

Shortening of P-wave duration.

Widening of the QRS complex.

Reduction of T-wave amplitude.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

The correct answer is choice D: Reduction of T-wave amplitude.

Choice A rationale:

The amplitude of the QRS complex is not directly affected by changes in serum potassium levels. It represents ventricular depolarization, and its restoration would not be an expected outcome of polystyrene sulfonate treatment

Choice B rationale:

Shortening of the P-wave duration is not an expected change with polystyrene sulfonate treatment. The P-wave represents atrial depolarization, which is not significantly impacted by the administration of this medication

Choice C rationale:

Widening of the QRS complex is associated with high serum potassium levels. The goal of polystyrene sulfonate treatment is to lower potassium levels and, thus, return the QRS complex to its normal width

Choice D rationale:

Polystyrene sulfonate aims to reduce serum potassium levels. When effective, this should result in a reduction of T-wave amplitude, which is a common ECG change seen with hyperkalemia

In conclusion, choice D is the correct answer, as a reduction in T-wave amplitude would be the expected change on the client's ECG if polystyrene sulfonate effectively lowers their serum potassium level.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The correct answer is choice A: Encourage the patient to breathe in and out slowly into a paper bag.

Choice A rationale:The patient’s arterial blood gas (ABG) results indicate respiratory alkalosis, as evidenced by the elevated pH (7.48) and decreased PaCO2 (25 mm Hg). Respiratory alkalosis often results from hyperventilation, which can occur due to anxiety. Breathing into a paper bag helps to increase CO2 levels in the blood, thereby correcting the alkalosis.

Choice B rationale:Administering oxygen is not appropriate in this scenario because the patient’s PaO2 is already elevated (110 mm Hg), indicating that oxygenation is not the issue. Providing additional oxygen would not address the underlying problem of hyperventilation and respiratory alkalosis.

Choice C rationale:Intravenous sodium bicarbonate is used to treat metabolic acidosis, not respiratory alkalosis. In this case, the patient’s HCO3 is within the normal range (24 mEq/L), indicating that there is no metabolic acidosis present.

Choice D rationale:Starting an intravenous fluid bolus with isotonic fluids is not indicated for correcting respiratory alkalosis. This intervention is more appropriate for patients experiencing hypovolemia or dehydration, which is not suggested by the patient’s ABG results.

A. Drug toxicity. B. Other electrolyte disturbances. C. Hypertension. D. Visual disturbances.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Other electrolyte disturbances.

Choice A rationale:

Drug toxicity is not directly related to hypocalcemia. The main concern in hypocalcemia is the calcium imbalance itself, not drug toxicity.

Choice B rationale:

Other electrolyte disturbances should be assessed because imbalances in other electrolytes, such as potassium and magnesium, are often associated with hypocalcemia. Electrolyte imbalances can interact and exacerbate each other, potentially leading to more severe complications.

Choice C rationale:

Hypertension is not a typical assessment finding in hypocalcemia. Hypertension is not directly related to calcium levels but may have other underlying causes.

Choice D rationale:

Visual disturbances are not commonly associated with hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia is more likely to present with neuromuscular and cardiovascular symptoms, rather than visual disturbances.

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A nurse is caring for a client who has a serum potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L. The provider prescribes polystyrene sulfonate. If this medication is effective, the nurse should expect which of the following changes on the client's ECG?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is caring for a patient who is anxious and dizzy following a traumatic experience. The arterial blood gas findings include: pH 7.48, PaO2 110, PaCO2 25, and HCO3 24. Which intervention should the nurse expect to be prescribed to correct this problem?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with hypocalcemia. What additional assessments should the nurse include when caring for this patient?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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