Which medication is most appropriate for treating hyperkalemia?

(A) Restrict the patient’s fluid intake: Fluid restrictions are important but not the priority during administration. Monitoring for adverse effects like ototoxicity is more critical.

(B) Ensure the patient voids before administration: Furosemide is a diuretic, but voiding before administration is not required.

(C) Administer the dose rapidly to achieve quick results: Rapid IV push can cause ototoxicity and hypotension. It should be given slowly over 1-2 minutes.

(D) Monitor the patient for tinnitus: High-dose or rapid IV administration of furosemide can cause ototoxicity, leading to tinnitus and hearing loss.

(A) Sodium: Thiazide diuretics can lower sodium, but hyponatremia does not directly affect digoxin toxicity.

(B) Magnesium: Magnesium is important for cardiac function but not as directly linked to digoxin toxicity as potassium.

(C) Calcium: Thiazides can cause hypercalcemia, but calcium does not significantly affect digoxin toxicity.

(D) Potassium: Thiazide diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide) cause potassium loss, which increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. Hypokalemia sensitizes the heart to digoxin’s effects, leading to arrhythmias.