The nurse caring for a client reviews the medical record and determines the client is at risk for developing a potassium deficit because of which situation?

Fluid overload, also called hypervolemia, is a condition in which the body has too much water.

It can cause edema, hypertension, shortness of breath, and cardiovascular problems.

Diuretics are medications that help the body remove excess fluid through urine.

They are commonly used to treat fluid overload caused by heart failure, kidney failure, cirrhosis, and other conditions.

Choice B is wrong because encouraging increased fluid intake would worsen the fluid overload and increase the risk of complications.

Choice C is wrong because providing a high-sodium diet would also worsen the fluid overload and increase the risk of complications.

Sodium is an electrolyte that regulates fluid balance in the body.

Excess sodium intake can cause water retention and increase blood pressure.

Choice D is wrong because elevating the affected extremities is not an appropriate intervention for fluid overload.

Elevating the extremities can help reduce swelling caused by local factors such as injury or inflammation, but it does not address the underlying cause of fluid overload.

This is because acute renal failure is a condition where the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. This can lead to fluid overload, electrolyte imbalances, and metabolic acidosis. Therefore, the nurse should monitor the patient’s urine output and fluid balance to assess the severity of the renal impairment and prevent complications.

Choice A is wrong because administering a potassium-sparing diuretic would worsen the patient’s hyperkalemia, which is a common complication of acute renal failure.

Choice B is wrong because encouraging the patient to consume a high-sodium diet would increase the patient’s fluid retention and blood pressure, which can further damage the kidneys.

Choice D is wrong because administering intravenous antibiotics is not a priority intervention for acute renal failure unless there is a specific indication of infection.