A child who is in renal failure has hyperkalemia. The nurse plans ...

[abern]

A child who is in renal failure has hyperkalemia. The nurse plans to instruct the child and parents to avoid which of the following foods?
 
  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

The nurse evaluates the therapeutic effect of the drug sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) in a client in chronic renal failure by assessing whether which of the following is present?
 
  1. Decreased serum potassium
   2. Increased stool excretion
   3. Decreased serum sodium
   4. Increased urine-specific gravity

[Christopher]

Answer to Question 1

1. Carrots and green, leafy vegetables

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 hamburger on a bun with cherry gelatin would be acceptable choices for a low-potassium diet.

Answer to Question 2

1. Decreased serum potassium

Rationale:
The client in chronic renal failure is unable to excrete potassium, and therefore the drug sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) is utilized in order to exchange sodium for potassium in the large intestine, resulting in decreased serum potassium levels. Although the client might have increased stools, the therapeutic effectiveness of the drug is measured by monitoring the serum potassium. This drug does not affect either the sodium level or the specific gravity.

[abern]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[Joy Chen]

TYSM