Potassium

Question 1

Potassium is excreted by the____.

Answer 1

Kidneys.

Question 2

Signs & symptoms of HYPERkalemia:

Starts with muscle____
then, proceeds to muscle____
then, goes to____ paralysis.

Can this lead to a life threatening arrhythmia?

Answer 2

• twitching
• weakness
• flaccid

yes! (pick arrhythmia over muscle weakness)

Question 3

Hyperkalemia treatments:

Dialysis if your kidneys aren’t working. why?

Calcium gluconate to decrease_____.

you can also give glucose & insulin. what does the insulin do?

Anytime you give IV Insulin, YOU MUST worry about____ and ____.

You give Kaexalate for hyperkalemia. What happens when you give kaexalate? why do you need to push fluids?

Answer 3

potassium is excreted by the kidneys.

arrhythmias

it carries both the glucose & potassium into the cell

Hypoglycemia & hypokalemia

You’re pumping the patient full of sodium & the more you pump them with sodium, (since k+ and Na+ have an inverse relationship) . This will cause the potassium level to decrease. all that sodium will cause dehydration, so you need to push fluids.

Question 4

Causes of hypokalemia:

Vomiting
NG suctioning
We have a-lot of potassium in our ____

Diuretics

Answer 4

stomach

Question 5

Signs & symptoms of hypokalemia:

Muscle___ & ___

Life threatening____

Answer 5

cramps & weakness

arrythmias

Question 6

Treatments of hypokalemia:

Aldactone… why?

THE MAJOR PROBLEM WITH P.O POTASSIUM IS____. If liquid, put it in juice because it’s so___

Answer 6

Potassium sparing diurectic

GI upset; so give it with food
bitter

Question 7

When should you monitor urinary output when giving IV potassium?

Answer 7

Before, during, & after

Question 8

The greater the potassium concentration, the more it will ___.

Answer 8

burn