A client with renal failure is receiving sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate). What is the medication’s purpose?

A client with renal failure is receiving sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate). What is the medication’s purpose?

• A. Increase the serum sodium level
• B. Decrease phosphorus absorption
• C. Reduce serum potassium
• D. Prevent loss of calcium

Answer: (C)

Kayexalate is used to treat hyperkalemia by removing potassium through the gastrointestinal tract. It is a cation-exchange resin that binds potassium in the colon and swaps it for sodium; the resin-K complex is then excreted in the stool. This provides an extra route to eliminate potassium when the kidneys aren’t able to excrete it effectively, as in renal failure. The effect lowers serum potassium levels, but it takes several hours to produce a significant change, so it isn’t a rapid rescue therapy. It can be given orally or as a rectal enema, and clinicians monitor potassium and electrolyte status while being aware of potential side effects like constipation, GI upset, or, rarely, intestinal necrosis—especially when used with sorbitol. It does not reduce phosphorus or affect calcium directly, since its purpose is specifically to reduce potassium.

Kayexalate is used to treat hyperkalemia by removing potassium through the gastrointestinal tract. It is a cation-exchange resin that binds potassium in the colon and swaps it for sodium; the resin-K complex is then excreted in the stool. This provides an extra route to eliminate potassium when the kidneys aren’t able to excrete it effectively, as in renal failure. The effect lowers serum potassium levels, but it takes several hours to produce a significant change, so it isn’t a rapid rescue therapy. It can be given orally or as a rectal enema, and clinicians monitor potassium and electrolyte status while being aware of potential side effects like constipation, GI upset, or, rarely, intestinal necrosis—especially when used with sorbitol. It does not reduce phosphorus or affect calcium directly, since its purpose is specifically to reduce potassium.