Once any treatment plan has been decided the nephrology nurse should be kept up to date. On review of John’s blood results his serum potassium was ≥ 7mmols/l indicating severe hyperkalaemia. Hyperkaleamia is medical condition in which the levels of potassium in the blood have risen to abnormally high levels and without treatment to lower the levels can lead to cardiac arrest (Oxford dictionary of Nursing 2008). Next step in the treatment was for the doctor to repeat the serum potassium and request the nephrology nurse to carry out an electrocardiogram in accordance with GAIN guidelines (2008). John’s ACE inhibitor (ramapril) was with held as this can further increase potassium levels. On further review of John’s blood results and presenting symptoms the doctor decided to insert a temporary line to administer haemodialysis (HDx). The doctor discussed the treatment option with John enabling informed consent (Department of Health 2009). John was feeling apprehensive about the need for dialysis as he perceived it as set back as John was managing conservatively until now so the doctor discussed with John if he would like to be referred to a
Once any treatment plan has been decided the nephrology nurse should be kept up to date. On review of John’s blood results his serum potassium was ≥ 7mmols/l indicating severe hyperkalaemia. Hyperkaleamia is medical condition in which the levels of potassium in the blood have risen to abnormally high levels and without treatment to lower the levels can lead to cardiac arrest (Oxford dictionary of Nursing 2008). Next step in the treatment was for the doctor to repeat the serum potassium and request the nephrology nurse to carry out an electrocardiogram in accordance with GAIN guidelines (2008). John’s ACE inhibitor (ramapril) was with held as this can further increase potassium levels. On further review of John’s blood results and presenting symptoms the doctor decided to insert a temporary line to administer haemodialysis (HDx). The doctor discussed the treatment option with John enabling informed consent (Department of Health 2009). John was feeling apprehensive about the need for dialysis as he perceived it as set back as John was managing conservatively until now so the doctor discussed with John if he would like to be referred to a