NCLEX RN Practice Question # 949
NCLEX Examination.
Practice Question # 949.
nclex quiz
Hypokalemia:
The normal potassium level is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L (3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L).
Description
- Hypokalemia is a serum potassium level lower than 3.5 mEq/L (3.5 mmol/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
- Kidney disease impairing reabsorption of potassium
- Inadequate potassium intake: Fasting; nothing by mouth status
- Movement of potassium from the extracellular fluid to the intracellular fluid
- Alkalosis
- Hyperinsulinism
- Dilution of serum potassium
- Water intoxication
- IV therapy with potassium-deficient solutions