HYPOKALEMIA

  1. A deficit in total potassium stores
    hypokalemia
  2. Hypokalemia is when the serum potassium level is below ____ mEq/L
    3.5
  3. When _____ is present, a temporary shift of serum potassium into the cells occurs
    alkalosis (high blood pH)
  4. Potassium-losing diuretics, such as the ____ and ______, can induce hypokalemia
    thiazides and loop diuretics
  5. Other medications that can lead to hypokalemia include: (3)
    • corticosteroids
    • sodium penicillin
    • amphotericin B
  6. ______ and _______ frequently lead to hypokalemia, because potassium is lost when gastric fluid is lost and because potassium is lost through the kidneys in response to metabolic alkalosis
    Vomiting and gastric suction
  7. Alterations in acid–base balance have a significant effect on potassium
    distribution due to shifts of _____ and _____ ions between the cells and
    the ECF.
    hydrogen and potassium
  8. T or F: Patients who are not able to eat a normal diet for a prolonged period are at risk for hypokalemia
    T
  9. This may occur in debilitated older adults and in patients with _____ or ______.
    alcoholism or anorexia nervosa
  10. Severe hypokalemia can cause death through _____ or ______ arrest.
    cardiac or respiratory arrest
  11. If prolonged, hypokalemia can lead to:
    an inability of the kidneys to concentrate urine, causing dilute urine (resulting in polyuria, nocturia) and excessive thirst
  12. Potassium depletion suppresses the release of ____ and results in glucose intolerance
    insulin
  13. Signs/Symptoms of hypokalemia
    • Fatigue
    • anorexia
    • nausea and vomiting
    • muscle weakness
    • polyuria
    • decreased bowel motility
    • ventricular asystole or fibrillation
    • paresthesias
    • leg cramps
    • ↓ Blood pressure
    • ileus
    • abdominal distention
    • hypoactive reflexes.

    ECG: flattened T waves, prominent U waves, ST depression, prolonged PR interval
  14. Contributing factors of hypokalemia
    • Diarrhea
    • vomiting
    • gastric suction
    • corticosteroid administration
    • hyperaldosteronism
    • carbenicillin
    • amphotericin B
    • bulimia
    • osmotic diuresis
    • alkalosis
    • starvation
    • diuretics
    • digoxin toxicity
  15. An elevated _ wave is specific to hypokalemia.
    U
  16. T or F: Metabolic acidosis is commonly associated with hypokalemia
    F: Metabolic alkalosis is commonly associated with hypokalemia
  17. If hypokalemia cannot be prevented by conventional measures such as
    increased intake in the daily diet or by oral potassium supplements for
    deficiencies, then it is treated cautiously with ___________.
    IV replacement therapy
  18. Medical Management:
    Potassium loss must be corrected daily; administration of __ to __mEq/day of potassium is adequate in the adult if there are no abnormal losses of potassium.
    40 to 60 mEq/day
  19. Foods high in potassium include most: (6)
    fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, milk, and meat
  20. Medical Management:
    Although potassium chloride (KCl) is usually used to correct potassium deficits, ______ or ______  may be prescribed
    potassium acetate or potassium phosphate
  21. Nursing Management:

    What are signals that warrant assessing the serum potassium concentration? (6)
    • Fatigue,
    • anorexia,
    • muscle weakness,
    • decreased bowel motility,
    • paresthesias,
    • and arrhythmias
  22. Patients receiving digitalis who are at risk for potassium deficiency should be monitored closely for signs of ______.
    digitalis toxicity
  23. The nurse helps prevent hypokalemia by encouraging patients at risk to:
    • ☁ eat foods rich in potassium (when the diet allows)
    • ☁  patient education
    • ☁ Careful monitoring of fluid I&O
    • ☁ The ECG is monitored for changes,
    • ☁ arterial blood gas (ABG) values are checked for elevated bicarbonate and pH levels.
  24. Correcting Hypokalemia:

    The ___ route is ideal to treat mild to moderate hypokalemia because ___
    potassium supplements are well absorbed.
    oral, oral
  25. Potassium may be retained more readily in ____ than in ____ people
    older than in younger people
  26. Administering Intravenous Potassium:
    Potassium should be given only after adequate _____ has been established.
    urine output
  27. Potassium is primarily excreted by the kidneys; when ____ occurs,
    potassium administration can cause the serum potassium concentration to rise to dangerous levels
    oliguria
  28. ADDITIONAL INFO:
    Potassium is never given by IV push or intramuscularly to avoid
    replacing potassium too quickly. Potassium is extremely irritating to
    tissues. IV potassium must be given using an infusion pump.
    ADDITIONAL INFO
  29. Renal function should be monitored through ___ and ________
    levels and ______ if the patient is receiving potassium replacement.
    BUN and serum creatinine levels and urine output
Author
ekmg
ID
365697
Card Set
HYPOKALEMIA
Description
Updated