medium · NCLEX-RN Physiological Adaptation
The nurse is caring for a client with Addisonian crisis who has a serum potassium of 6.3 mEq/L. The provider orders 50 mg of IV hydrocortisone and 1000 mL of D5NS.
How does the hydrocortisone help lower the potassium?
- It provides a mineralocorticoid effect that promotes renal potassium excretion.
- It directly binds to potassium in the blood and excretes it via the liver.
- It shifts potassium into the cells by stimulating the insulin pump, for this client.
- It dilutes the potassium by increasing the total blood volume.
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