The provider has ordered Kayexalate and sorbitol to be ...

[LaDunn]

The provider has ordered Kayexalate and sorbitol to be administered to a patient. The nurse caring for this patient would expect which serum electrolyte values prior to administration of this therapy?
 
  a. Sodium 125 mEq/L and potassium 2.5 mEq/L
  b. Sodium 150 mEq/L and potassium 3.6 mEq/L
  c. Sodium 135 mEq/L and potassium 6.9 mEq/L
  d. Sodium 148 mEq/L and potassium 5.5 mEq/L

Question 2

The nurse is caring for a newly admitted patient who will receive digoxin to treat a cardiac dysrhythmia. The patient takes hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL) and reports regular use of over-the-counter laxatives.
 
  Before administering the first dose of digoxin, the nurse will review the patient's electrolytes with careful attention to the levels of which electrolytes?
  a. Calcium and magnesium
  b. Sodium and calcium
  c. Potassium and chloride
  d. Potassium and magnesium

[zogaridan]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Severe hyperkalemia, with a potassium level of 6.9 mEq/L, requires aggressive treatment with Kayexalate and sorbitol to increase the body's excretion of potassium. The normal range for serum potassium is 3.5 to 5.5 mEq/L, so patients with the other potassium levels would not be treated aggressively or would need potassium supplementation.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Hypomagnesemia, like hypokalemia, enhances the action of digitalis and causes digitalis toxicity. Laxatives and diuretics can deplete both of these electrolytes.

[LaDunn]

Excellent

[6ana001]

TYSM