The nurse that is administering calcium acetate (Phoslo) to a patient, would best administer this medication with each meal. This drug is taken to reduce the phosphate levels in patients with severe kidney illnesses since these patients would tend to retain phosphate leading to hyperphosphatemia. Calcium acetate is known to be a phosphate binder. It should be taken with meals as it binds with the phosphate present in food forming calcium phosphate which is not absorbed largely in the body. Binding the phosphates would reduce phosphate absorption in the body. Common side effects of this drug are weakness and nausea.
