The nurse is preparing to administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) rectally to a patient with an irregular pulse and weakness of the lower extremities.
What laboratory finding does the nurse determine is the reason for this treatment?

Choice A rationale

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) provides essential nutrients intravenously, allowing the bowel to rest and heal, which is important in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Choice B rationale

While reducing inflammation and controlling symptoms are important goals in IBD management, TPN is primarily used to provide nutrition and allow the bowel to rest.

Choice C rationale

Stimulating the bowel is not the purpose of TPN. TPN is used to give the digestive tract a break while ensuring the patient receives necessary nutrients.

Choice D rationale

Preventing malnutrition and promoting weight gain are secondary benefits of TPN, but the primary rationale is to provide nutrients while allowing the bowel to rest and heal.

Choice A rationale

Alcoholism is a common cause of hypomagnesemia due to poor dietary intake, increased renal excretion, and gastrointestinal losses. Chronic alcohol consumption leads to malnutrition and loss of magnesium through the urine, contributing to low magnesium levels.

Choice B rationale

Dehydration typically leads to hemoconcentration, which can elevate, rather than decrease, magnesium levels. Thus, it is not usually associated with low magnesium levels.

Choice C rationale

Kidney failure generally causes hypermagnesemia, not hypomagnesemia, because the kidneys cannot efficiently excrete magnesium, leading to its accumulation in the blood.

Choice D rationale

Excessive magnesium intake would result in hypermagnesemia, not hypomagnesemia, as the body accumulates more magnesium than it can excrete.