Level: Advanced
Difficulty: Hard
Subtopic: Renal and cardiac diet patterns
NCLEX: A 63-year-old client with chronic kidney disease is being evaluated for nursing care related to renal and cardiac…
Nutrition Basic Care and Comfort
Case Study
A 63-year-old client with chronic kidney disease is being evaluated for nursing care related to renal and cardiac diet patterns. Assessment data include the client has potassium 5.9 mEq/L while asking about salt substitutes. Which finding requires the nurse to intervene immediately?
Question
A. A stable, long-standing finding that matches the expected care plan.
B. The new finding that has potassium 5.9 mEq/L while asking about salt substitutes.
C. A comfort request with unchanged vital signs and no new symptoms.
D. Routine data unchanged from the prior assessment.
B. The new finding that has potassium 5.9 mEq/L while asking about salt substitutes.
C. A comfort request with unchanged vital signs and no new symptoms.
D. Routine data unchanged from the prior assessment.
Rationale
Correct answer: B. The new finding that has potassium 5.9 mEq/L while asking about salt substitutes.
Rationale: Follow-up items test whether the nurse recognizes cues that are new, acute, or inconsistent with stability and need prompt nursing action.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.
Rationale: Follow-up items test whether the nurse recognizes cues that are new, acute, or inconsistent with stability and need prompt nursing action.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.