NUR1460 EXAM 1 (with Complete Solutions)

Hypokalemia- CAUSES correct answers *** alkalotic. body is trying to DITCH potassium.*** D: drugs (laxatives, loop/thiazide diuretics) I: inadequate consumption of potassium (NPO, starving) T: too much water intake (dilutes potassium) C: Cushing's Syndrome H: Heavy fluid loss (diarrhea, vomiting, NG suction, wound drainage, sweating) Hypokalemia- S/S correct answers A SIC WALT A: alkalosis S: shallow respirations I: irritability C: confusion and drowsiness W: weakness and fatigue A: arrhythmias L: lethargy T: thread pulse Hypokalemia- INTERVENTIONS correct answers -watch other electrolytes (magnesium especially as it decreases too & hard to get potassium back up if magnesium is low) -never give IV push, IM or SUBQ -if giving IV give according to bag instruction- 20 meq/mL in 1L bag, 100ml an hour ***always watch patients to see how they react to medication. Hyperkalemia- CAUSES correct answers the body CARED too much about potassium C: cellular movement of potassium from intracellular to extracellular (burns, tissue damage, acidosis) A: adrenal insufficiency w/ Addison's disease R: renal failure E: excessive intake D: Drugs (potassium-sparing drugs like Aldactone, Triamterene, ACE inhibitors, NSAIDS) Hyperkalemia- S/S correct answers MURDER M: muscle weakness U: urine output- little R: respiratory failure (due to decreased ability to use breathing muscles) D: decreased cardiac contractility (weak pulse, low BP) E: early signs of muscle twitches/cramps- late signs profound weakness R: rhythm changes Hyperkalemia- INTERVENTIONS correct answers Prepare patient for dialysis if they are renal failure and get dialysis regularly as they will have high potassium. Kayexalate is sometimes ordered, promotes GI sodium absorption which causes potassium excretion, give potassium wasting diuretics like Lasix or hydrochlorothiazide, administer hypertonic solution of glucose