Fluid and Electrolyte: Potassium

Functions

100

1. Which of the following is most important for the nurse to ask the client who has a serum potassium level of 2.7 mEq/L? a. “Have you or any member of your family ever been diagnosed with lung disease?” b. “Have you had any muscle twitches or cramps, especially at night?” c. “Do you use diuretics or laxatives?” d. “Do you use sugar substitutes?”

c. "Do you use diuretics or laxatives?"

200

2. Primary controller of ECF potassium is a. Active Transport b. Filtration c. Osmolality d. Sodium-Potassium Pump

a. Active Transport

300

3. How does the Sodium-Potassium work to balance potassium and sodium levels in the ICF & ECF? a. Passive Perfusion b. Active Transport c. Diffusion d. Renin-Angiotensin II Pathway 

b. Active Transport

Sources

100

1. Which food groups contains the highest amount of potassium? a. meat, citrus juices, bananas and raisins b. avocadoes, bread, tomatoes and apples c. pasta, rice, grape juices and skim milk d. pizzas, bacon, oatmeal and eggs

a. meat, citrus juices, bananas and raisins

200

2. When should you call the Rapid Response Team? (both accompany hyperkalemia) a. Brain damage and 13 breaths per minute b. Heart rate below 60 bpm or T waves become spiked c. Heart rate above 65 bpm and liver disease d. 18 breaths per minute or 2 second capillary refill

b. Heart rate below 60 bpm or T waves become spiked (pg. 167 Medical-Surgical Nursing Vol. 1).

300

3. Which intervention is appropriate when a patient has hyperkalemia? a. Administering additional potassium b. Administering calcium supplements c. Put patient on a protein-controlled diet d. Stopping potassium-containing infusions

d. Stopping potassium-containing infusions (pg. 166 Medical-Surgical Nursing Vol. 1).

Regulation

100

1. The client has been receiving spironolactone (Aldactone) 50 mg/day for heart failure. The nurse should closely monitor the client for which condition? a. Hypokalemia b. Hyperkalemia c. Hypoglycemia d. Hypermagnesemia

b. Hyperkalemia

200

2. Potassium ions a. are used strictly to provide energy b. are necessary for all living functions c. help sodium ions d. are toxic to humans

b. are necessary for all living functions

300

3. Which intervention will the nurse perform when monitoring a client receiving triamterene (Dyrenium)? a. Assess urinary output hourly b. Monitor for side effect of hypoglycemia c. Assess potassium levels d. Monitor for Hypernatremia

c. assess potassium levels

400

4. The most obvious change that causes death from hyperkalemia is? a. Integumentary system dysfunction b. Cardiovascular change c. Cell fluid overload d. Kidney failure

b. cardiovascular change

500

5. Which of the following should the nurse first assess before administering potassium? a. Verify that the IM site is correct b. Dilute the medication according to the physician’s order c. Check the dilution of the drug by the pharmacy d. Assess the patient’s I&O and weight

c. check the dilution of the drug by the pharmacy

Disorders

100

1. The mechanism of regulating Potassium excretion in the kidney via hormonal mechanism is called: a. Glomerular Filtration b. Aldosterone c. Renin-Angiotensin II Pathway d. Hypokalemia

c. Renin-Angiotensin II Pathway

200

2. When potassium levels in the blood are increased or decreased by 1mEq/L, how much of a change is that in the Extracellular Fluid concentration? a. 10% b. 25% c. 70% d. 20%

b. 25%

300

3. Relative hypokalemia occurs when a. potassium loss is excessive b. potassium intake is inadequate c. potassium distribution between fluid spaces is abnormal or diluted by excess water d. serum potassium is higher than 5 mEq/L

c. potassium distribution between fluid spaces is abnormal or diluted by excess water (pg. 163 Medical-Surgical Nursing Vol. 1).

400

4. Severe hypokalemia can cause a. paralytic ileus b. kidney disease c. hemorrhage d. cancer

a. paralytic ileus (pg. 164 Medical-Surgical Nursing Vol. 1).

500

5. A patient with nasogastric suctioning is experiencing diarrhea. The patient is ordered a morning dose of Lasix 20mg IV. Patient’s potassium level is 3.0. What is your next nursing intervention? a. Hold the dose of Lasix and notify the doctor for further orders b. Administered the Lasix and notify the doctor for further orders c. Turn off the nasogastric suctioning and administered a laxative d. No intervention is need the potassium level is within normal range

a. Hold the dose of Lasix and notify the doctor for further orders