HYPOKALEMIA

 

WHAT IS HYPOKALEMIA

•      Hypokalemia is a serum potassium level lower then 3.5 mEq/L

•      In potassium deficit every body system affected.

CAUSE:-

•      Excessive use of medication such as diuretics or corticosteroid

•      Increase secretion of aldosterone such as in Cushing syndrome

•      Vomiting, diarrhea

•      Wound drainage

•      Prolong nasogastric suction

•      Excessive diaphoresis

•      Kidney disease impair the reabsorption of potassium.

•      Inadequate potassium intake such as fasting or NPO

•      Movement of potassium from extra cellular fluid to intra cellular fluid (alkalosis, hyperinsulism)

•      IV therapy with potassium deficit solutions.

SIGN & SYMPTOMS:-

•      Thready, weak & irregular pulse

•      Weak peripheral pulse

•      Orthostatic hypotension

•      Weakness of skeletal muscle of respiration cause ineffective respiration

•      Anxiety, lethergy confusion & coma.

•      Skeletal muscle weakness cause flaccid paralysis

•      Deep tendon hyporeflexia.

INTERVENTION:-

•      Monitor cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular, GI & renal status.

•      Monitor electrolyte value.

•      Administer potassium supplements orally or IV.

•      Institute safety measure for the client experiencing muscle weakness

•      Administer potassium retaining diuretics prescribe

•      Instruct the cline food high in potassum such as banana, carrots, fish, orange, mushrooms, potatoes, tomatoes.