potassium imbalances

Question 1

what is the main ICF cation?

Answer 1

potassium (98% in ICF)

Question 2

what is the cause of many potassium imbalances?

Answer 2

changes in ratio of ICF and ECF

Question 3

there is an inverse relationship with potassium and what other electrolyte?

Answer 3

sodium

Question 4

factors causing potassium shifts from ECF to ICF

Answer 4

insulin, alkalosis, rapid cell building

Question 5

factors causing potassium shifts from ICF to ECF

Answer 5

acidosis, trauma, exercise

Question 6

what is the most common cause of hyperkalemia?

Answer 6

renal failure

Question 7

causes of hyperkalemia due to excessive potassium intake

Answer 7

excessive parenteral administration, potassium-containing drugs

Question 8

causes of hyperkalemia due to shift of potassium out of cells?

Answer 8

acidosis, crush injury, tumour lysis syndrome

Question 9

causes of hyperkalemia from failure to eliminate potassium

Answer 9

renal disease, potassium-sparing diuretics, renal insufficiency, ACE inhibitors

Question 10

clinical manifestations of hyperkalemia

Answer 10

irritability, anxiety, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, weakness of extremities, irregular pulse

Question 11

nursing management of hyperkalemia

Answer 11

• eliminate oral and parenteral potassium intake
• increase elimination (diuretics, dialysis), increase fluid intake
• force potassium from ECF to ICF - IV insulin (and glucose) or sodium bicarbonate
• reverse membrane effects (IV calcium gluconate)

Question 12

what is one very serious but rare cause of hypokalemia?

Answer 12

deficient intake of potassium

Question 13

causes of hypokalemia due to potassium losses

Answer 13

diarrhea, N&V

Question 14

cause of hypokalemia due to shift of potassium into cells

Answer 14

increased insulin, alkalosis, tissue repair

Question 15

causes of hypokalemia due to lack of potassium intake

Answer 15

starvation, inadequate diet, failure to include K in parenteral fluids if NPO

Question 16

metabolic alkalosis causes what sort of shift

Answer 16

shift of potassium into cells (ICF)

Question 17

clinical manifestations of hypokalemia

Answer 17

muscle weakness, fatigue, leg cramps, N&V, irregular pulse, hyperglycemia

Question 18

nursing management of hypokalemia

Answer 18

• give potassium chloride supplements, increase dietary intake
• KCl never given in severe deficiencies
• slow IV administration to prevent hyperkalemia and cardiac arrest
• potassium phosphate admin.