Wk 3 Potassium Imbalances

Question 1

Potassium it the major __ cation

Answer 1

Intracellular

Question 2

Sodium in the major __ cation

Answer 2

Extracellular

Question 3

What is the main function of potassium?

Answer 3

Regulates cell excitability and electrical status

Question 4

What is an example of excess potassium intake?

Answer 4

IV fluids with 40 units of KCl and renal insufficiency

Question 5

What is 3 examples that cause potassium to shift out of the cell and sodium into the cell, causing hyperkalemia?

Answer 5

Acidosis
Tissue catabolism
Intense exercise

Question 6

What is oliguria?

Answer 6

Low urine output

Question 7

What are two examples of failure to eliminate potassium?

Answer 7

Renal disease

Adrenal insufficiency

Question 8

What is adrenal insufficiency called?

Answer 8

Addison’s disease

Question 9

What medication classes can cause potassium to leave the body?

Answer 9

Loop and thiazide diuretics

Question 10

What is an example of a loop diuretic?

Answer 10

furosemide

Question 11

What type of diureitc is hydrochlorothiazide?

Answer 11

thiazide diuretic

Question 12

3 nonpharmacological reasons a patient may have excess potassium loss?

Answer 12

GI - vomiting or diarrhea
Kidney - dialysis
Diaphoresis

Question 13

What are three reasons that potassium might shift into the cell causing hypokalemia?

Answer 13

Increased insulin release
Insulin therapy
Alkalosis

Question 14

What are two examples of low potassium intake?

Answer 14

Starvation or a low potassium diet

No K+ in IVF if NPO

Question 15

EKG changes, fatigue, irritability, muscle weakness, are characteristic of what potassium imbalance?

Answer 15

Hyperkalemia AND hypokalemia

Question 16

What are three other characteristics of hyperkalemia?

Answer 16

Loss of muscle tone
Paresthesia
Confusion

Question 17

What would increase potassium excretion in a patient that is hyperkalemic?

Answer 17

Loop/thiazide diuretics
Dialysis
Patiromer (Veltessa) or sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)

Question 18

How long does it take Patiromer (Veltessa) or sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) to work?

Answer 18

Hours to days

Question 19

A patient who has very high serum potassium may be a candidate for emergency __.

Answer 19

dialysis

Question 20

If a patient is hyperkalemic and is also acidotic, what would you give them?

Answer 20

sodium bicarbonate

Question 21

What else will force potassium back into the cell for a patient with hyperkalemia?

Answer 21

Insulin and dextrose

Question 22

For a patient with hypokalemia, do we have to wait as long to increase their intake of potassium, like we would with sodium?

Answer 22

No

Question 23

You should not exceed __ meq/hr of potassium

Answer 23

10

Question 24

When can you exceed potassium restrictions?

Answer 24

In ICU setting and if patient has a CVAD (central venous access device)

Question 25

Infiltration of potassium can cause…

Answer 25

necrosis

Question 26

What would you do for a patient with hypokalemia?

Answer 26

Increase med intake
Increase PO intake
IV KCl

Question 27

Hypokalemia precipitates __

Answer 27

digitoxicity

Question 28

What are fruits that are high in potassium?

Answer 28

Apricot
Avocado
banana
cantaloupe
dried fruits
grapefruit juice
honeydew
oranges and OJ
prunes
raisins

Question 29

What are vegetables that are good sources of potassium?

Answer 29

Black beans
Butternut squash
Broccoli
Carrots
Greens (not kale)
Mushrooms
Potatoes
spinach
tomatoes
veggie juice

Question 30

What are other foods that are good sources of potassium?

Answer 30

bran or bran products
chocolate
granola
milk
nutritional supplements
nuts/seeds
pb
salt substitutes 
salt free broth
yogurt