In managing a patient with chronic kidney disease, which nursing action is appropriate to prevent acute complications?

In managing a patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD), limiting potassium intake is vital to preventing acute complications. Chronic kidney disease can lead to reduced kidney function, which in turn impairs the body’s ability to excrete potassium effectively. High levels of potassium can result in hyperkalemia, a condition that can trigger serious cardiac issues, including arrhythmias. Therefore, advising patients to limit their potassium intake helps to maintain safe serum potassium levels, thus preventing potential acute complications such as cardiac arrest.

The other options do not align with the best practices for managing patients with CKD. Encouraging a high-sodium diet can exacerbate hypertension and fluid retention, leading to further complications. Teaching healthy lifestyle changes is certainly beneficial, but it is a broader approach and less specific in preventing immediate acute complications than dietary modifications focused on potassium. Reducing physical activity is not generally recommended, as appropriate levels of exercise can be beneficial for overall health in CKD patients; however, any restrictions should be personalized based on the patient’s condition. Overall, limiting potassium intake is a targeted and crucial intervention in the management of CKD to avoid acute complications.