Potassium

Question 1

What is the purpose of potassium?

Answer 1

1. It plays a role in cellular depolarization (activation) and repolarization (deactivation)
2. Moves into the cell while sodium moves out of the cell

Question 2

What is hyperkalemia?

Answer 2

serum potassium level >5.5

Critical values around 7.0

Question 3

What things can cause hyperkalemia?

Answer 3

1. renal failure
2. potassium-sparing diuretic use
3. excessive potassium intake
4. adrenal insufficiency
5. acidosis
6. Severe tissue trauma and burns
7. starvation
8. some medications

Question 4

What are the manifestations of hyperkalemia?

Answer 4

1. tall, peaked T waves, widened QRS
2. dysrhythmias
3. Cardiac arrest
4. nausea and vomiting
5. Abdominal cramping and diarrhea
6. paresthesias

Question 5

What is the management of hyperkalemia?

Answer 5

1. administration of calcium gluconate, insulin, and glucose polystyrene sulfonate
2. diuretics if renal excretion is normal

Question 6

What is the acronym to remember the s/s of hyperkalemia?

Answer 6

MURDER

Question 7

What does the acronym MURDER stand for?

Answer 7

Muscle cramps
Urine abnormalities
Respiratory distress
Decreased cardiac contraction
EKG changes
Reflexes

Question 8

What is hypokalemia?

Answer 8

Serum K+ level <3.5

Critical values <2.5

Question 9

What things can cause hypokalemia?

Answer 9

1. potassium-depleting diuretic use
2. corticosteroid use
3. Some antibiotics
4. Severe vomiting
5. GI suctioning
6. Alkalosis
7. Long-term IV fluid use without addition of K+

Question 10

What are the manifestations of hypokalemia?

Answer 10

1. dysrhythmias
2. flat or inverted T waves
3. anorexia
4. decreased bowel sounds
5. ileus
6. muscle cramps
7. increased risk for digoxin toxicity
8. suppressed insulin secretion

Question 11

How is hypokalemia typically managed?

Answer 11

replacement of potassium salts

Question 12

What is the acronym to remember Hypokalemia?

Answer 12

A SIC WALT

Question 13

What does A SIC WALT stand for?

Answer 13

Alkalosis

Shallow respirations
Irritability
Confusion and drowsiness

Weakness and fatigue
Arrhythmias
Lethargy
Thready pulse