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A nurse is admitting a client who takes 40 mg furosemide daily for heart failure and has experienced three days of vomiting. The nurse suspects hypokalemia. Which of the following medications should the nurse prepare to administer?

A) Potassium chloride
B) Calcium gluconate
C) Magnesium sulfate
D) Sodium bicarbonate

User K Sarath
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Final answer:

For a client with hypokalemia due to furosemide use and vomiting, the nurse should administer Potassium chloride. This medication is used to correct low potassium levels and is normally administered intravenously in a hospital setting.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should prepare to administer Potassium chloride (Option A) as the medication for a client who is taking furosemide daily for heart failure and has experienced three days of vomiting. Furosemide is a diuretic that can cause loss of potassium from the body, leading to hypokalemia. Potassium chloride is commonly used to treat hypokalemia by replenishing the body's potassium levels. Calcium gluconate (Option B), Magnesium sulfate (Option C), and Sodium bicarbonate (Option D) are not typically used as first-line treatments for hypokalemia.

In an emergency situation, such as a patient suffering from hypokalemia requiring urgent correction of their potassium levels, an IV delivery of potassium chloride would be ordered. The solution commonly found in the supply cabinet of a hospital emergency room would be an IV bag of 0.5% KCl, which can be rapidly administered to the patient to treat low potassium levels. It's essential to monitor the patient's electrolytes and vital signs during this therapy to ensure safety and efficacy.

User Unor
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