A patient is admitted to the hospital with hyperkalemia. The ...

[justinmsk]

A patient is admitted to the hospital with hyperkalemia. The patient is prescribed sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate). How does this medication lower the patient's potassium level?
 
  A) It decreases the absorption of exogenous potassium.
  B) It increases urinary excretion of potassium.
  C) It combines with potassium ions for elimination.
  D) It releases sodium to acidify urine with potassium.

Question 2

A 69-year-old woman has been taking metformin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes for several years. Which of the following changes in the woman's laboratory values may demonstrate a need to discontinue the medication?
 
  A) A decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit
  B) A decrease in glomerular filtration rate
  C) A decrease in potassium accompanied by an increase in sodium
  D) An increase in white blood cells

[cassie_ragen]

Answer to Question 1

C
Feedback:
Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate), a cation exchange resin, administered orally, removes potassium from the body in the stool. Kayexalate does not decrease the absorption of potassium. Kayexalate does not increase urinary excretion of potassium. Kayexalate does not release sodium to acidify urine with potassium.

Answer to Question 2

B
Feedback:
It is essential to discontinue metformin if renal impairment occurs. The other listed changes in laboratory values do not necessarily indicate that metformin should be discontinued.

[justinmsk]

Excellent

[Alyson.hiatt@yahoo.com]

Gracias!