Potassium

Question 1

How much K do we need per day

Answer 1

40 mEq/L

-body does not conserve potassium, important to take in everyday

Question 2

What does K do?

Answer 2

• assists in muscle contractions
• affects cardiac tissue responsiveness
• affects acid base imbalance

Question 3

Aldosterone and K

Answer 3

Causes excretion of K

Question 4

Sources of K

Answer 4

Chocolates 
Meats
Potatoes
Bananas 
Oranges

Question 5

Hypokalemia

Answer 5

K

Question 6

Causes of hypokalemia

Answer 6

• too manny diuretics(Lasix,hctz)
• GI fluid loss
• steroids:loss from kidneys
• insulin
• alkalosis

Question 7

S/S of hypokalemia

Answer 7

• muscle weakness
• arrhythmias(flat T wave)
• leg weakness
• constipation
• assess resp status
• weak thready pulse
• orthostatic hypotension

Question 8

When giving potassium IV

Answer 8

• may be uncomfortable
• infuse no faster than 10 mEq/hr
• NEVER give K IV push
• IV bags come in 20 or 40 mEq/L in either 1 liter bag or piggy back 250ml bag

Question 9

Hyperkalemia

Answer 9

• above 5mEq/L

- the technique of lab draw can effect K levels

Question 10

Why hyperkalemia?

Answer 10

• low kidney function
• excessive intake of salt sub., IV/oral supps
• k sparing diuretics
• chemo or trauma(broken cells release K to serum)
• blood transfusion

Question 11

ECG abnormality with hyperkalemia

Answer 11

Peaked T waves

Question 12

Lowering potassium

Answer 12

• kayexalate(draws K to it in bowels and pushes out in stool)
• K restricted diet
• diuretics
• dialysis

Question 13

Insulin glucose IV

Answer 13

Insulin drives K back into cells and glucose is added to offset lowered sugar levels

Question 14

Normal potassium level

Answer 14

3.5-5 mEq/L