A Patient with Renal Failure Has Been Taking Aluminum Hydroxide/magnesium

Multiple Choice

A patient with renal failure has been taking aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide suspension (Maalox) at home for indigestion.The patient arrives for outpatient hemodialysis and is unresponsive to questions and has decreased deep tendon reflexes.Which action should the dialysis nurse take first?

A) Notify the patient's health care provider.
B) Obtain an order to draw a potassium level.
C) Review the magnesium level on the patient's chart.
D) Teach the patient about the risk of magnesium-containing antacids