A child, in renal failure, is diagnosed with hyperkalemia. Which ...

[crazycityslicker]

A child, in renal failure, is diagnosed with hyperkalemia. Which food choices will the nurse teach the parents and child to avoid?
 
  1. Carrots and green, leafy vegetables
  2. Chips, cold cuts, and canned foods
  3. Spaghetti and meat sauce, breadsticks
  4. Hamburger on a bun, cherry gelatin

Question 2

A child diagnosed with acute glomerulonephritis is in the playroom and experiences blurred vision and headache. Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?
 
  1. Check the urine to see if hematuria has increased.
  2. Obtain a blood pressure on the child; notify the healthcare provider.
  3. Reassure the child, and encourage bed rest until the headache improves.
  4. Obtain serum electrolytes, and send a urinalysis to the lab.

[prumorgan]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Carrots and green, leafy vegetables are high in potassium. Chips, cold cuts, and canned foods are high in sodium but not necessarily potassium. Spaghetti and meat sauce with breadsticks and a hamburger on a bun with cherry gelatin would be acceptable choices for a low-potassium diet.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: Blurred vision and headache may be signs of encephalopathy, a complication of acute glomerulonephritis. A blood pressure (BP) should be obtained and the healthcare provider notified. The healthcare provider may decide to order an antihypertensive to bring down the BP. This is a serious complication, and delay in treatment could mean lethargy and seizures. Therefore, the other options (checking urine for hematuria, encouraging bed rest, and obtaining serum electrolytes) do not directly address the potential problem of encephalopathy.

[crazycityslicker]

Excellent

[gcook]

Great answer, keep it coming