Which medication in the regimen is a phosphate binder?

Which medication in the regimen is a phosphate binder?

• A. Calcium acetate
• B. Ferrous sulfate
• C. Epoetin alfa
• D. Furosemide

Answer: (A)

Phosphate binders work by binding dietary phosphate in the gut so it isn’t absorbed into the bloodstream. Calcium acetate fits this role because it binds phosphate in the intestinal tract during meals to form insoluble calcium phosphate, which is excreted in the feces, thereby lowering serum phosphate levels. This helps manage hyperphosphatemia commonly seen in kidney disease and reduces related complications. The other medications serve different purposes: ferrous sulfate treats iron deficiency anemia, epoetin alfa stimulates red blood cell production, and furosemide is a diuretic. So calcium acetate is the one that acts as a phosphate binder.

Phosphate binders work by binding dietary phosphate in the gut so it isn’t absorbed into the bloodstream. Calcium acetate fits this role because it binds phosphate in the intestinal tract during meals to form insoluble calcium phosphate, which is excreted in the feces, thereby lowering serum phosphate levels. This helps manage hyperphosphatemia commonly seen in kidney disease and reduces related complications. The other medications serve different purposes: ferrous sulfate treats iron deficiency anemia, epoetin alfa stimulates red blood cell production, and furosemide is a diuretic. So calcium acetate is the one that acts as a phosphate binder.