The nurse is administering sodium polystyrene sulfonate to a client in acute kidney injury (AKI). Which laboratory finding indicates that the medication has been effective?

Choice A reason: This is not the laboratory finding that indicates that the medication has been effective. Serum ammonia level of 30 Mcg/dL (17.62 mmol/L) is within the normal range for adults, and it does not reflect the effect of sodium polystyrene sulfonate. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is a cation-exchange resin that binds to potassium in the intestine and removes it from the body through the stool. It does not affect the ammonia levels in the blood, which are influenced by the liver function and the urea cycle. The nurse should monitor the ammonia levels for any changes, but it is not the goal of the medication.Choice B reason: This is not the laboratory finding that indicates that the medication has been effective. Hemoglobin level of 13.5 g/dL (135 g/L) is within the normal range for females, and it does not reflect the effect of sodium polystyrene sulfonate. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate does not affect the hemoglobin levels in the blood, which are determined by the number and size of red blood cells and the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. The nurse should monitor the hemoglobin levels for any changes, but it is not the goal of the medication.Choice C reason: This is the laboratory finding that indicates that the medication has been effective. Serum potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L (3.8 mmol/L) is within the normal range for adults, and it indicates that the medication has lowered the potassium levels in the blood. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is used to treat hyperkalemia, or high potassium levels, which can occur in AKI due to the impaired renal excretion of potassium. Hyperkalemia can cause cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, and paralysis. The nurse should administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate as prescribed and check the serum potassium levels regularly to ensure that they are within the normal range.Choice D reason: This is not the laboratory finding that indicates that the medication has been effective. Serum glucose level of 120 mg/dL (6.7 mmol/L) is slightly above the normal range for adults, and it does not reflect the effect of sodium polystyrene sulfonate. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate does not affect the glucose levels in the blood, which are influenced by the carbohydrate metabolism and the insulin secretion and action. The nurse should monitor the glucose levels for any changes, but it is not the goal of the medication.