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?

Oral potassium supplements can cause stomach irritation or laxative effect if taken without enough fluid or food.

Taking the medication with food or a full glass of water can help prevent these side effects and improve absorption.

Choice B is wrong because taking the medication on an empty stomach with a sip of water can increase the risk of stomach irritation or laxative effect and reduce absorption.

Choice C is wrong because taking the medication with milk or antacids can interfere with the absorption of potassium and cause hyperkalemia (high blood potassium levels).

Choice D is wrong because taking the medication with grapefruit juice can also interfere with the absorption of potassium and cause hyperkalemia.

Grapefruit juice can also interact with some medications that affect potassium levels, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and potassium- sparing diuretics.

Hyponatremia is a condition where sodium levels in your blood are lower than normal. This can cause symptoms such as nausea, headache, confusion, muscle weakness and seizures. A hypertonic saline solution is a fluid that has a higher concentration of sodium than normal blood. It can help restore the sodium balance and prevent or treat the complications of hyponatremia.

Choice A is wrong because restricting fluid intake may not be enough to correct severe hyponatremia and may worsen the symptoms if the cause is sodium loss.

Choice C is wrong because encouraging increased fluid intake may further dilute the sodium levels and worsen the condition.

Choice D is wrong because administering a loop diuretic may increase the urine output and cause more sodium loss, leading to more severe hyponatremia.

Normal ranges for blood sodium levels are between 135 and 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L).