Question

The nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client hospitalized with a diagnosis of Crohn's disease. The client has a magnesium level of 1.0 mEq/L (0.5 mmol/L). Which nursing interventions should the nurse initiate? Select all that apply.

1.Monitor the client for dysrhythmias.
2.Instruct the client to consume low-calcium foods. 3.Instruct the client to include a banana in the daily diet. 4.Instruct the client to consume foods low in magnesium.
5.Notify the primary health care provider (PHCP) of the laboratory results.

Answer 1

For a client with Crohn's disease and a low magnesium level, the nurse should instruct them to consume magnesium-rich foods and notify the primary health care provider. Instructing low-calcium or low-magnesium diets would not be beneficial, and while bananas are healthy, they address potassium, not magnesium levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a client with Crohn's disease who has a magnesium level of 1.0 mEq/L (0.5 mmol/L). Among the suggested nursing interventions, the appropriate actions would include:

• Instructing the client to consume foods rich in magnesium since the client's magnesium level is low. Foods such as milk, eggs, cabbage, and cauliflower can help meet the daily magnesium requirement, which varies from 100-300 mg depending on age.
• Notifying the primary health care provider (PHCP) of the laboratory results is crucial as they may prescribe magnesium supplementation or further interventions to correct the hypomagnesemia.

It is not advisable for the nurse to instruct the client to consume low-calcium foods or low-magnesium foods as these would not be beneficial interventions for someone with low magnesium levels. Moreover, a banana would contribute more towards potassium intake rather than magnesium and may be recommended in cases of hypokalemia.