Hypokalemia

Question 1

potassium levels less than _____________ are especially dangerous

Answer 1

2.5

Question 2

Causes of hypokalemia: Body is trying to DITCH potassium

Answer 2

D: drugs (laxatives, diuretics, corticosteroids)
I: inadequate intake of potassium
T: too much water intake
C: Cushing’s syndrome (Increased secretion of Aldosterone)
H: heavy fluid loss (NG suction, vomiting, diarrhea, wound drainage, sweating)

Other: K+ moves from extra cell to intracell for alkalosis & hyperinsulinism (too much insulin in blood, patient have hypoglycemia as well)

Question 3

anytime you are having diarrhea, you are losing lots of potassium. TRUE OR FALSE

Answer 3

TRUE

Question 4

signs & symptoms of hypokalemia - everything is going to be __________ and _____________

Answer 4

slow & low

Question 5

S/S hypokalemia

Answer 5

weak pulse (thready, irregular)
orthostatic hypotension, decreased bowel sounds,
, decreased reflexes, flaccid paralysis, confusion, weakness, shallow respirations and diminished breath sounds

Question 6

how does hypokalemia affect the EKG ?

Answer 6

depressed ST segment, flat or inverted T wave, prominent U wave

Question 7

7 L’s to help remember how someone presents with hypokalemia

Answer 7

lethargic
low shallow respirations 
lethal cardiac changes 
loss of urine 
leg cramps 
limp muscles 
low BP + HR

Question 8

interventions for hypokalemia

watch heart rhythm, respiratory status, GI & renal status (UOP), BUN & Creatinine

Watch other electrolytes like _______________ (will also decrease…hard to get K+ to increase if Mag is low), watch glucose, sodium, and calcium all go hand-in-hand and play a role in cell transport

Administer oral Supplements for potassium with doctor’s order: usually for levels 2.5-3.5…give with food can cause GI upset

IV Potassium for levels less 2.5 (NEVER EVER GIVE POTASSIUM via IV push or by IM or subq routes)

• Give according to the bag instruction don’t increase the rate…has to be given slow…patients given more than 10-20 meq/hr should be on a cardiac monitor and monitored for EKG changes
• Cause phlebitis or infiltrations

Don’t give LASIX, demadex , or thiazides (waste more Potassium) or Digoxin (cause digoxin toxicity) if Potassium level low…notify md for further orders)

Physician will switch patient to a potassium ________ diuretic Spironolactone (Aldactone), Dyazide, Maxide, Triamterene

Answer 8

magnesium; sparing Instruct patient to eat Potassium rich foods

Question 9

Instruct patient to eat Potassium rich foods -POTASSIUM

Answer 9

Potatoes, pork
Oranges
Tomatoes
Avocados
Strawberries,
Spinach
fIsh
mUshrooms
Musk melons: cantaloupe
Also included are: (carrots, raisins, bananas)