Question

A nurse is planning care for a client who has chronic kidney disease and a potassium level of 7.3 mEq/L. Which of the following interventions should the nurse plan to take?

a) Administer a potassium supplement to correct the deficiency.
b) Encourage the client to consume foods high in potassium.
c) Implement dietary restrictions to limit potassium intake.
d) Monitor the client for signs of hypokalemia.

Answer 1

The nurse should plan to implement dietary restrictions to limit potassium intake for the client with chronic kidney disease and a potassium level of 7.3 mEq/L. Encouraging the client to consume foods high in potassium or administering a potassium supplement would be contraindicated.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should plan to implement dietary restrictions to limit potassium intake for the client with chronic kidney disease and a potassium level of 7.3 mEq/L. This is because a potassium level of 7.3 mEq/L is considered hyperkalemia, which is an abnormally high potassium blood level.

Hyperkalemia can have serious health implications, including cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, it is important to restrict potassium intake through the diet in order to help normalize the potassium level.

Encouraging the client to consume foods high in potassium or administering a potassium supplement would be contraindicated in this situation as it would further elevate the potassium level.