ELECTROLYTES: POTASSIUM

Question 1

Normal Potassium Serum Level

Answer 1

3.5-5 mEq/L

Question 2

Hypokalemia

1. Level
2. s/s
3. tx

Answer 2

Level: <3.5

s/s:

• Weak thready pulse
• Increase RISK OF DIGITALIS TOXICITY (Digoxin: 0.8 to 2.0 ng/mL)
• Decrease DTR
• Decrease/absent bowel sounds
• paresthesias, paralytic ileus
• N/V
• Muscle weakness, fatigue

Tx

• Monitor for Orthostatic Hypotension
• Monitor serum drug levels with the use of cardiac glycosides (Digoxin)
• Monitor K levels with loop diuretics and thiazide diuretics
• Give oral K supplement , IV with pump, NO K bolus

Question 3

Hyperkalemia

Level

s/s

Tx

Answer 3

Level >5

s/s

• Irregular, slow HR
• decrease BP
• ECG Changes, possilbe cardiac arrest
• Increase bowel sounds, diarrhea
• abd cramping, nausea, muscle weakness

Tx

• Decrease dietary intake
• sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) to prevent constipation
• Diuretics
• 50% dextrose with regular insulin to drive K+ back into cells
• Monitor Cardiac Status