A client is receiving lactulose (Heptalac). Which laboratory value leads the nurse to intervene?
a. Serum potassium, 2.6 mEq/L
b. Serum sodium, 132 mEq/L
c. Serum glucose, 108 mg/dL
d. Blood urea nitrogen, 16 mg/dL
A
Lactulose can cause the client to have several loose stools daily. The nurse should monitor for hypokalemia and dehydration. This client's potassium level is low, indicating hypokalemia. The serum sodium level is slightly low, but hyponatremia is not a complication of lactulose therapy. The blood glucose is slightly high, but this is unrelated. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is normal.
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