The nurse is performing an admission assessment for a client on the behavioral health unit with depression and anxiety. Which goal of therapeutic communication will the nurse prioritize?

Choice A reason: In the oliguric phase of AKI, kidney function is severely impaired, reducing potassium excretion. This leads to hyperkalemia, which disrupts cardiac electrical activity, potentially causing life-threatening arrhythmias or cardiac arrest. Elevated potassium levels are a hallmark of this phase due to decreased glomerular filtration rate and impaired tubular secretion.

Choice B reason: Urine output of 2000 mL in 24 hours indicates polyuria, characteristic of the recovery phase of AKI, not the oliguric phase, where output is typically less than 400 mL/day. High urine output suggests restored renal function, which is not expected in the oliguric phase, where kidneys fail to filter adequately.

Choice C reason: Tachycardia may occur in AKI due to fluid overload causing increased cardiac workload or electrolyte imbalances like hyperkalemia affecting heart rhythm. However, it is a secondary symptom and less specific than hyperkalemia, which directly results from impaired renal excretion and poses a more immediate risk to cardiac function.

Choice D reason: Tenting of the skin indicates dehydration, which may precede AKI but is not typical in the oliguric phase, where fluid retention is more common due to reduced urine output. Fluid overload leads to edema, not dehydration, making skin tenting an unlikely finding in this phase of 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.