Question

The nurse is caring for a client with acute kidney injury who has a serum potassium level of 5.5 mmol/L. The nurse administers sodium polystyrene sulfonate to the client. What is the rationale behind this nursing action?

Answer 1

The normal potassium levels are, 3.5 – 5.0 meq/L (milliequivalents per liter). The increased potassium levels above 5.0 meq/L is called, “hyperkalemia.” Means, the patient in the given case has hyperkalemia.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate has the ability to binds with potassium, so it helps in the potassium excretion through the stool, thus, reducing the body's serum potassium levels.