Fluid & Electrolyte Questions AND rationale answers

Fluid & Electrolyte Questions 1. A client was admitted with reports of prolonged diarrhea. The client’s admission potassium level was 3.3 mEq/L (3.3 mmol/L) and is receiving an IV of D5 ½ NS with 20 mEq KCL at 125 mL/hr. The UAP reports an 8 hour urinary output of 200 mL. The previous 8 hour urinary output was 250 ml. What should be the nurse’s priority action? Correct! Choose One 1. Encourage the client to increase PO fluid intake. 2. Administer a supplemental PO dose of potassium. 3. Stop the IV potassium infusion. 4. Administer polystyrene sulfonate PO Rationale 3. Correct: First, you need to recall that potassium is excreted by the kidneys. If the kidneys are not working well, the serum potassium will go up! You always monitor the urinary output before and during IV potassium administration. Since the urine output has decreased below 30 mL/hr, we know that the urinary output is not adequate. Therefore, the client could start retaining too much potassium. The priority action would be to stop the infusion and then follow this action by notifying the healthcare provider.