The nurse is administering sodium polystyrene sulfonate to a client in acute kidney injury (AKI). Which laboratory finding indicates that the medication has been effective?

• Glucose [Reference Range: 74 to 106 mg/dL (4.1 to 5.9 mmol/L)]
• Hemoglobin (Hgb) [Reference Range:12-16 g/dL (120-160 g/L)]
• Potassium (K+) [Reference Range: 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L)]
• Ammonia [Reference Range: Adult: 10 to 80 Mcg/dL (6 to 47 Mcmol/dL)]

Choice A rationale: Quinapril is an ACE inhibitor and, like captopril, is typically given twice daily. It does not have an extended duration of action that would allow for once-daily dosing.

Choice B rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that can be given once per day. It has a long duration of action, which allows for once-daily dosing. This makes it a convenient option for patients who have difficulty remembering to take their medications multiple times a day.

Choice C rationale: Ramipril is another ACE inhibitor that can be given once per day. Like lisinopril, it has an extended duration of action, allowing for once-daily dosing.

Choice D rationale: Trandolapril is an ACE inhibitor that can also be given once per day. It has a prolonged duration of action, which supports once-daily dosing for optimal blood pressure control.

Choice E rationale: Captopril itself is listed in the options, and it is not an ACE inhibitor that can be given only once per day. Captopril has a short duration of action and is usually prescribed for twice-daily dosing.

Choice A rationale: This option is not appropriate as increasing saturated fat intake would exacerbate the oily stool and flatus symptoms caused by orlistat. Orlistat is specifically designed to reduce fat absorption, and increasing fat intake would be counterproductive and may worsen the side effects.

Choice B rationale: Asking a client to describe their dietary intake history is a standard practice in nutritional assessment. It provides a baseline for understanding current eating habits and identifying areas for improvement.

Choice C rationale: Advising a client to stop taking medication should only be done by a qualified healthcare provider who has full knowledge of the client's health history and current medications.

Choice D rationale: While obtaining a stool specimen for evaluation might be relevant in some situations, it is not the priority in this case. The oily stools and flatus are most likely related to the side effects of orlistat and do not typically require stool testing for confirmation. The more immediate action would be to address the symptoms by advising the client to stop taking the medication and contact her healthcare provider for further guidance.