Hypokalemia/Hyperkalemia & Hyponatremia/Hypernatremia

o what is potassium to the body?

 the primary intracellular electrolyte essential for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and cardiac conduction

o what is hypokalemia?

 low potassium in the body

o what are symptoms of hypokalemia?

 muscle weakness, fatigue, constipation, and life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias

o treatments of hypokalemia are

 correcting the cause and potassium replacement (oral or IV).

o what is hyperkalemia?

 high levels of potassium in the body

o what causes hyperkalemia?

 renal failure, medications, or excess intake

o symptoms of hyperkalemia

 cardiac dysrhythmia, muscle weakness, or paralysis, HIGH LEVELS CAN LEAD TO CARDIAC ARREST

o what is treatment of hyperkalemia?

 stabilizing the heart, shifting potassium into cells (e.g., insulin), and removing excess potassium (e.g., diuretics, resins, dialysis

o what do you monitor closely with hyperkalemia?

 ECG and lab values is essential due to potassium’s critical role in cardiac function

o what is hyponatremia?

 low sodium levels in the body

o what is hyponatremia caused by?

 excess water (dilution), diuretics, or GI losses

o what are symptoms of hyponatremia?

 cerebral edema, including confusion, lethargy, seizures, and coma

o treatments for hyponatremia

 correcting the cause, fluid restriction or sodium replacement, and slow correction to prevent complications

o what is hypernatremia?

 high sodium in the body

o causes of hypernatremia

 by excess water (dilution), diuretics, or GI losses

o hypernatremia leads to

 neurologic changes such as confusion, irritability, and seizures

o what are treatments for hypernatremia?

 gradual fluid replacement and addressing the underlying cause