Author Question: Based on the new medication orders, which blood test or tests should be monitored carefully? ... (Read 44 times)

jwb375 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

Based on the new medication orders, which blood test or tests should be monitored carefully?

Explain your answer.

Question 2

When you give J.M. his medications, he looks at the potassium tablet, wrinkles his nose, and tells you he hates those horse pills. He tells you a friend of his said he could eat bananas instead.

He says he would rather eat a banana every day than take one of those pills. How will you respond ?

rosiehomeworddo · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Potassium levels need to be monitored, for several reasons. The diuretic causes potassium to be
excreted along with sodium and water, thus the potassium supplement is ordered. However, the ACE
inhibitor causes retention of potassium and can lead to hyperkalemia. Last, patients who are taking
digoxin need to have potassium levels monitored as well as periodic digoxin levels. If potassium
levels get low, the hypokalemia can make the patient more susceptible to digoxin toxicity. Digoxin
levels must be monitored carefully because digoxin toxicity can lead to serious complications.

Answer to Question 2

Use empathy and humor. Tell him that sounds good, but to get as much potassium from a banana
as he would from the potassium tablet, he would have to eat a 4-foot long banana every day
Tell him there are other ways the physician can order the potassium, such as in a liquid form or
a powder form that is dissolved in liquid. If J.M. would prefer, ask the physician for an order of a
different formulation.