Question

A patient is receiving iv calcium gluconate, iv insulin with d50 and oral polystyrene sulfonate. what evidence of the treatment's effectiveness should the nurse observe for

Answer 1

Treating a patient with the administration of IV calcium gluconate, IV insulin with d50, and oral polystyrene sulfonate indicates that the patient is receiving treatment for hyperkalemia. As such, the evidence of the treatment's effectiveness that the nurse should observe for is a reduction in blood potassium levels towards the normal range.

Answer 2

IV Calcium Gluconate temporarily stabilizes the effects of hyperkalemia. A combination of IV insulin plus D50 lowers the serum potassium level. Oral polystyrene sulfonate is being used to treat high level of potassium in the blood. The nurse should anticipate that client is experiencing symptoms of hyperkalemia that is why he or she is being prescribed with these medications. Symptoms include weakness, numbness, chest pain, palpitations,fatigue,cardiac arrhytmia thus absence of these symptoms would indicate the effectiveness of the mentioned medications. Also if the potassium level of the client would be lowered down or within the normal limits also means that the client is well medicated.