The nurse knows that many medications given to clients have predictable, secondary effects which may be harmful or may be beneficial. The nurse always includes these effects in client teaching.

A. Hyperkalemia can have significant cardiac effects, potentially leading to life-threatening arrhythmias such as bradycardia, heart block, ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation. As potassium levels rise, it affects the electrical conduction of the heart, leading to changes in the ECG (electrocardiogram) and potentially causing fatal arrhythmias.

B. While hyperkalemia primarily affects the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal symptoms can also occur. These may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. However, these symptoms are typically less severe compared to cardiac manifestations. Monitoring for gastrointestinal symptoms helps in assessing overall clinical status but is not as critical as assessing cardiac function in the context of hyperkalemia.

C. Respiratory symptoms are not typically associated with hyperkalemia unless severe acid-base disturbances are present. Potassium imbalance itself does not directly affect respiratory function. Therefore, while it is important to assess respiratory status in any client, it is not the priority in the context of hyperkalemia.

D. Hyperkalemia can affect the nervous system, leading to symptoms such as muscle weakness, tingling sensations, and even paralysis in severe cases. However, neurologic symptoms usually occur at higher potassium levels or in the presence of significant electrolyte imbalances affecting nerve function.

Monitoring for neurologic symptoms is important but is generally secondary to assessing cardiac status in the context of approaching severe hyperkalemia.

B Droplet precautions are used for pathogens that can be transmitted through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or during procedures such as suctioning.

E. Healthcare workers should wear a surgical mask when within close proximity (within 3 feet) of a patient on droplet precautions. The mask helps prevent the inhalation of droplets that may contain infectious pathogens.

A. Negative pressure rooms are used for airborne precautions, not droplet precautions. Droplet precautions typically do not require negative pressure rooms.

C. Infections transmitted on air currents are managed with airborne precautions, not droplet precautions. Droplet transmission occurs over shorter distances (generally within 3 feet) due to larger respiratory droplets.

D. An N-95 mask is used for airborne precautions to filter smaller particles. For droplet precautions, healthcare workers typically wear a surgical mask to protect against larger respiratory droplets.