341 Potassium

Normal range for potassium

3.5-5.0 mEq/L

where does potassium live

inside the cells

how does a person get potassium

Injested through daily diet because the body cannot conserve/ save it

foods that are high in potassium

POTASSIUM

Potatoes

Oranges

Tomatoes

Avocados

Strawberries

Spinach

Iceberg Lettuce

Ugurt (Yogurt)

Melons

functions of potassium

1. neuromuscular function

2. nerve impulses

3. cell electrical neutrality

4. muscle contraction

which organ does potassium affect the most

Heart! K = Kardiac

How is potassium excreted

Mainly Kidneys

What is the main role of sodium potassium pump?

Metabolism and muscle contraction

How do potassium and hydrogen move in acidosis

Potassium moves out of cell

Hydrogen moves in cell

How do potassium and hydrogen move in alkalosis

Potassium moves in cell

Hydrogen moves out of cell

hypokalemia level

<3.5 mEq/L

causes of hypokalemia

1. less intake (foods, potassium deficient IV fluids, TPN)

2. excessive output (N/V/D , increased peeing, incrased aldosterone)

drug causing hypokalemia

Diuretics

Corticosteroids (Save Na and Water, get ride of K)

Insulin (Pulls out K with sugar)

Laxatives (Pooping all the K out)

s/sx of hypokalemia

A SIC WALT Decreased

Alkalosis

Shallow Respirations

Irritability

Confusion, Drowsiness

Weakness, Fatigue

Arrhythmias

Lethargy

Thready pulse

Deceased intestinal motility (constipations, paralytic ileus, anorexia)

EKG changes with hypokalemia

ST depression

Shallow T wave

Prominent U wave

treatment of hypokalemia

normal: Increase K foods and K supplement

severe: IV K

How do we want patient to take an oral potassium supplement

Full glass of water because can cause GI irritation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Considerations with IV potassium

"RIDDS you of errors"

Rate should not exceed 10-20 mEq/L

Dilute in compatible solution

Irritating to tissue so numb with lidocaine and give to a proximal IV site

Dose should not exceed 40 mEq/L

SLOW

what happens if you push IV potassium too fast

fatal dysrhythmia.

True or False: Hypokalemia can potentiate digoxin causing toxicity

True

hyperkalemia level

>5.0 mEq/L

causes of hyperkalemia

BAD EAR

Burns

Acidosis

Donated Blood

Excessive intake of salt subsitutes

Aldosterone low

Renal Failure

drugs that cause hyperkalemia

Spironolactone

Ace Inhibitors (suppresses aldosterone)

Chemotherapy (Cell Death)

Beta blockers (stop K shifting back into cell)

NSAIDS

S/Sx of hyperkalemia

DANGER

Diarrhea

Arrhythmias (Ventricular)

Nausea

Go down (Muscle weakness and paralysis)

Extremely low VS (BP and HR)

Repolarizes fast (Tall peaked T wave)

Treatment

Restrict intake

Excrete potassium through poop and pee (Kayexalate and diuretics)

Protect the heart (calcium gluconate)

Move potassium into the cell (Insulin, bicarb)