Why should a client with chronic kidney disease avoid all salt substitutes in their diet?

The importance of avoiding salt substitutes in the diet of a client with chronic kidney disease primarily stems from their content of potassium. Salt substitutes often use potassium chloride as a replacement for sodium chloride (table salt). For individuals with chronic kidney disease, the kidneys may struggle to excrete potassium effectively, leading to elevated potassium levels in the blood, a condition known as hyperkalemia.

Hyperkalemia can have serious consequences, including the risk of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), which can be life-threatening. Therefore, by avoiding salt substitutes, individuals with chronic kidney disease can help maintain their potassium levels within a safe range and minimize the risk of cardiovascular complications.

In contrast to this correct answer, while fluid retention can be a concern in kidney disease, the specific issue with salt substitutes is not primarily related to fluid retention. Similarly, while eliminating salt substitutes could theoretically contribute to limiting waste buildup, potassium levels and their impact on heart function are of far greater concern. Lastly, the suggestion that salt substitutes interfere with capillary membrane transfer resulting in anasarca is not relevant; anasarca, or generalized edema, is related to various factors, but the specific effect of salt substitutes focuses on potassium levels rather than direct interference with capillary dynamics.