A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who has a high serum potassium level. Which of the following factors can cause hyperkalemia? (Select all that apply.)
Renal failure.
Diuretic therapy.
Acidosis.
Insulin deficiency.
Tissue injury.
Correct Answer : A,C,D,E
Choice A reason:
Renal failure. This is a common cause of hyperkalemia because the kidneys are responsible for excreting excess potassium from the body. When the kidneys are damaged or impaired, they cannot filter out enough potassium, leading to its accumulation in the blood.
Choice B reason:
Diuretic therapy. This is not a cause of hyperkalemia, but rather a potential treatment for it. Diuretics are medications that increase urine output and help remove excess fluid and electrolytes from the body. Some diuretics, such as thiazides and loop diuretics, can also lower potassium levels by increasing its loss in urine. However, other diuretics, such as potassium-sparing diuretics, can cause hyperkalemia by reducing potassium excretion.
Choice C reason:
Acidosis. This is a condition where the blood pH is lower than normal, indicating an excess of acid in the body. Acidosis can cause hyperkalemia by shifting potassium from the cells to the blood in exchange for hydrogen ions. This is a mechanism to buffer the acid and maintain the electrical balance across the cell membrane.
Choice D reason:
Insulin deficiency. This is a condition where the body does not produce enough insulin, a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels. Insulin deficiency can cause hyperkalemia by impairing the uptake of glucose and potassium into the cells. Insulin normally stimulates the activity of sodium-potassium pumps that transport sodium out of the cells and potassium into the cells.
Choice E reason:
Tissue injury. This is a condition where there is damage or destruction of body tissues due to trauma, infection, inflammation, or ischemia (lack of blood supply) Tissue injury can cause hyperkalemia by releasing potassium from the injured cells into the blood. This can occur in conditions such as burns, crush injuries, rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), hemolysis (red blood cell breakdown), or tumor lysis syndrome (cancer cell breakdown)
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Potassium is the major cation in the intracellular fluid (ICF), not the extracellular fluid (ECF) It is important for nerve and muscle function, but it does not regulate ECF balance and vascular volume.
Choice B reason:
Calcium is a cation that is mostly found in bones and teeth, but also plays a role in muscle contraction, blood clotting, and enzyme activity. It does not regulate ECF balance and vascular volume.
Choice C reason:
Chloride is the correct answer. It is the major anion in the ECF and it helps to maintain osmotic pressure, acid-base balance, and fluid volume. It often accompanies sodium in fluid replacement therapy.
Choice D reason:
Phosphate is an anion that is mostly found in bones and teeth, but also participates in energy metabolism, acid-base balance, and nucleic acid synthesis. It does not regulate ECF balance and vascular volume.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Hypotension is not an expected finding for a client who has hypomagnesemia. Hypotension is more likely to occur with hypovolemia, which is a decrease in the amount of fluid in the blood vessels. Hypomagnesemia is a decrease in the amount of magnesium in the blood, which affects neuromuscular function and can cause muscle spasms, tremors, and seizures.
Choice B reason:
Bradycardia is not an expected finding for a client who has hypomagnesemia. Bradycardia is a slow heart rate, usually below 60 beats per minute. Hypomagnesemia can cause cardiac arrhythmias, such as tachycardia (fast heart rate), premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), and torsades de pointes (a type of ventricular tachycardia)
Choice C reason:
Muscle weakness is not an expected finding for a client who has hypomagnesemia. Muscle weakness is more likely to occur with hypermagnesemia, which is an excess of magnesium in the blood. Hypermagnesemia can cause decreased neuromuscular excitability and reduced muscle contraction.
Choice D reason:
Tetany is an expected finding for a client who has hypomagnesemia. Tetany is a condition characterized by involuntary muscle contractions, often affecting the hands and feet. It is caused by low levels of calcium or magnesium in the blood, which interfere with normal nerve impulses.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.