NCLEX RN Practice Question 435
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HYPOKALEMIA
Description
- Hypokalemia is a serum potassium level lower than 3.5 mEq/L
- Potassium deficit is potentially life-threatening because every body system is affected.
Causes
- Actual total body potassium loss
- Excessive use of medications such as diuretics or corticosteroids
- Increased secretion of aldosterone, such as in Cushing’s syndrome
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Wound drainage, particularly gastrointestinal
- Prolonged nasogastric suction
- Excessive diaphoresis
- Renal disease impairing reabsorption of potassium
- Inadequate potassium intake: nothing by mouth
- Movement of potassium from the extracellular fluid to the intracellular fluid
- Alkalosis
- Hyperinsulinism Dilution of serum potassium
- Water intoxication
- IV therapy with potassium-poor solutions
- Assessment
Interventions
- Monitor cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular, gastrointestinal, and renal status, and place the client on a cardiac monitor.
- Monitor electrolyte values.
- Administer potassium supplements orally or intravenously, as prescribed.
- Oral potassium supplements