Kayexalate causes potassium to be exchanged for sodium in the intestines and excreted
through bowel movements. If client does not have stools, the drug cannot work properly. Blood
pressure and urine output are not of primary importance. The nurse would already expect
changes in T waves with hyperkalemia.
The nurse is caring for a client who has been in good health up to the present and is admitted
with cellulitis of the hand. The client's serum potassium level was 4.5 mEq/L yesterday. Today
the level is 7 mEq/L. Which of the following is the next appropriate nursing action?
A. Call the physician and report results
B. Question the results and redraw the specimen
C. Encourage the client to increase the intake of bananas
D. Initiate seizure precautions - Answers✔B
A client who has been in good health up to the present is admitted for cellulitis of the hands.
When the serum potassium goes from 4.5 mEq/L to 7.0 mEq/L with no risk factors for
hyperkalemia, false high results should be suspected because of hemolysis of the specimen
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