The nurse is caring for the client with cardiac and renal disease. The client now has a serum potassium level of 6.0 mEq/L. Which medications, if prescribed, should the nurse administer? Select all that apply.
Calcium gluconate 1.5 grams IV now
Dextrose 50% injection (50ml) IV push now
Colace 100 mg PO now
Regular insulin 10 units IV now
Potassium chloride 20 mEq orally now
Correct Answer : A,B,D
A) Calcium gluconate 1.5 grams IV now: Calcium gluconate is administered to counteract the effects of hyperkalemia by stabilizing the myocardial cell membrane. It does not lower potassium levels but helps protect the heart from potential dysrhythmias associated with high potassium levels.
B) Dextrose 50% injection (50ml) IV push now: Dextrose 50% injection, also known as D50W, is administered to temporarily shift potassium from the extracellular space into the intracellular space, thereby lowering serum potassium levels. It is commonly used in combination with insulin to facilitate the movement of potassium into cells.
C) Colace 100 mg PO now: Colace is a stool softener and does not affect serum potassium levels. It is not indicated for the treatment of hyperkalemia.
D) Regular insulin 10 units IV now: Regular insulin is administered with dextrose to facilitate the movement of potassium from the extracellular space into the intracellular space. Insulin stimulates the cellular uptake of glucose, which in turn drives potassium into cells along with glucose.
E) Potassium chloride 20 mEq orally now: Potassium chloride is contraindicated in the treatment of hyperkalemia as it would further increase serum potassium levels. It is typically used to supplement potassium in clients with hypokalemia, not hyperkalemia.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is inadequate removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) by the lungs, leading to an accumulation of CO2 and a decrease in pH.
Analysis:
pH 7.22: Indicates acidemia (pH below 7.35), suggesting acidosis.
PaCO2 68 mm Hg: Elevated PaCO2 indicates hypoventilation, which is characteristic of respiratory acidosis.
Base excess -2: Base excess is within normal limits and does not contribute significantly to the acid-base imbalance in this scenario.
PaO2 78 mm Hg: PaO2 is slightly low but not significantly contributing to the acid-base imbalance.
Saturation 80%: Oxygen saturation is low, indicating hypoxemia, which is commonly associated with respiratory acidosis due to hypoventilation.
Bicarbonate 26 mEq/L: Bicarbonate is within normal limits, suggesting compensation for the respiratory acidosis, which is a chronic condition.
Overall, the ABG values indicate respiratory acidosis due to inadequate ventilation, leading to CO2 retention and subsequent acidemia.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Contact the provider for further orders:
Contacting the provider for further orders might delay the administration of blood, which is crucial in situations where there is an urgent need, such as severe bleeding or anemia. Given that the unit of blood available is type O negative, which is universally compatible with most recipients in emergency situations, waiting for further orders could jeopardize the client's health.
B. Complete an incident report:
There is no incident or error that occurred in this situation. Using type O negative blood for a recipient with type A positive blood is an accepted practice in emergencies, and therefore, does not warrant the completion of an incident report.
C. Administer the blood as ordered:
Type O negative blood can be safely administered to recipients with any blood type in emergency situations. Since the client requires blood, and the unit available is type O negative, which is universally compatible, administering the blood as ordered is the appropriate action to ensure timely treatment.
D. Notify the blood bank:
Notifying the blood bank is unnecessary in this situation. The nurse has a unit of type O negative blood on hand, which is appropriate for immediate administration to the client with type A positive blood. There's no need to inform the blood bank as the blood is compatible and can be safely administered.
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