A patient with renal failure has been taking aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide suspension (Maalox)at home for indigestion.The patient arrives for outpatient hemodialysis and is unresponsive to questions and has decreased deep tendon reflexes.Which action should the dialysis nurse take first?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The health care provider should be notified immediately.The patient has a history and manifestations consistent with hypermagnesemia.The nurse should check the chart for a recent serum magnesium level and make sure that blood is sent to the laboratory for immediate electrolyte and chemistry determinations.Dialysis should correct the high magnesium levels.The patient needs teaching about the risks of taking magnesium-containing antacids.Monitoring of potassium levels also is important for patients with renal failure,but the patient's current symptoms are not consistent with hyperkalemia.

A Patient with Renal Failure Has Been Taking Aluminum Hydroxide/magnesium