Author Question: A patient is receiving magnesium by intravenous infusion. Which assessment finding indicates that ... (Read 59 times)

SGallaher96 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient is receiving magnesium by intravenous infusion. Which assessment finding indicates that the patient's blood magnesium level may be too high?

a. Respirations are 10 per minute and shallow.
b. Heart rate is 66 beats per minute and regular.
c. The patient reports difficulty staying asleep.
d. Hourly urine output is 30 mL.

Question 2

What does the nurse teach a patient who has been prescribed potassium (K-Dur)?

a. If you miss a dose, double your next dose to keep your blood level of potassium normal.
b. Take your potassium with food or a full glass or water to avoid nausea and vo-miting.
c. Be sure to use salt substitutes instead of salt so that your body will not retain water.
d. Eat lots of foods that are high in potassium such as bananas, spinach, broccoli, and sweet potatoes.

sarah_brady415 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A
High blood levels of magnesium interfere with muscle contraction, causing muscle weakness. Breathing is dependent on good contraction of respiratory muscles. Shallow and slow respira-tions are a serious manifestation of excess blood magnesium levels.

Answer to Question 2

B
Common side effects of potassium include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, and abdominal dis-comfort. Taking the drug with food or right after meals with a full glass of water or fruit juice will decrease or prevent these side effects. A patient should never take a double dose of a pre-scribed drug. Most salt substitutes are made by replacing sodium with potassium. Use of salt substitutes or eating excessive amounts of foods that are high in potassium while taking a potas-sium supplement increases the risk of hyperkalemia (high blood potassium).