The nurse is caring for an acutely ill client. Which assessment finding should prompt the nurse to inform the healthcare provider that the client may be exhibiting signs of acute kidney injury (AKI)?

Choice A reason: Increased potassium intake is dangerous in ESRD, as impaired kidneys cannot excrete potassium, leading to hyperkalemia. This can disrupt cardiac membrane potentials, causing arrhythmias or cardiac arrest. ESRD diets require strict potassium restriction to prevent life-threatening electrolyte imbalances, making this modification inappropriate.

Choice B reason: Increased protein intake is often recommended in ESRD patients on hemodialysis to replace protein lost during dialysis and prevent malnutrition. However, it must be balanced to avoid excess urea production, which can worsen uremia. This is not the primary focus compared to phosphorus management in this context.

Choice C reason: Decreased phosphorus intake is critical in ESRD, as kidneys cannot excrete phosphate, leading to hyperphosphatemia. This causes vascular calcification and secondary hyperparathyroidism, increasing cardiovascular risk. Dietary phosphorus restriction, often with phosphate binders, prevents these complications, making it a key dietary modification for hemodialysis patients.

Choice D reason: Decreased calcium intake is not recommended in ESRD, as patients often have hypocalcemia due to impaired vitamin D activation and phosphate retention. Calcium supplementation or adequate intake is needed to prevent bone disease and secondary hyperparathyroidism, making this modification incorrect for ESRD management.

Choice A reason: Implementing interventions addresses specific needs but is not the primary goal of therapeutic communication during admission. Interventions follow after building trust, as depression and anxiety require a strong therapeutic alliance to ensure effective treatment engagement, making this a secondary priority at this stage.

Choice B reason: Teaching self-care skills is important for long-term management but not the initial communication goal. Clients with depression and anxiety need trust and emotional safety first to engage in learning, making skill-building secondary to establishing a therapeutic relationship during the admission assessment.

Choice C reason: Facilitating emotional expression is a key component of therapeutic communication but depends on a trusting relationship. Without a strong nurse-client bond, clients with depression and anxiety may resist sharing emotions, making this goal important but secondary to establishing rapport during the initial assessment.

Choice D reason: Establishing a therapeutic nurse-client relationship is the priority during admission, as it builds trust and safety, critical for clients with depression and anxiety. This foundation enables emotional expression, engagement in interventions, and skill-building, ensuring effective communication and treatment adherence, making it the primary goal in this context.