Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 80%
Simulated
The client with CRF receives a sodium polystyrene sulfonate enema. Which finding indicates that the medication is achieving the desired therapeutic effect?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
A: Although sodium polystyrene sulfonate may be administered as an enema and stool may return, the purpose of the medication is to lower serum potassium levels and not to empty the bowel. B: The client should be encouraged to retain the enema solution for as long as possible so that sodium ions can be exchanged for potassium ions in the intestine, but its retention for this length of time does not indicate its effectiveness in lowering the serum potassium level. C: The client may be constipated prior to receiving the enema, but this is not the purpose of a sodium polystyrene sulfonate enema. D: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate exchanges sodium ions for potassium ions in the intestine and is administered when the client has hyperkalemia. A normal serum potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L indicates that the medication is achieving its desired therapeutic effect.