Question

Explain the presentation of what a hypokalemic patient looks like? What is your priority?

Answer 1

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Hypokalemia is defined as a persistently low levels of serum potassium lower than 3.6 mEq/L.causes are decreased intake, redistribution shifts, non renal losses, renal losses, etc.

presentation of hypokalemia patients -- non severe cases is usually asymptomatic, acute manifestation are muscle weakness , prolonged hypokalemia may cause arrhythmias, renal abnormalities . it leads to sinus bradycardia, premature beats , skeletal muscle weakness and paralysis develop. constipation and ileus ,nausea , vomiting, abdominal carmps, polyuria, nocturia, or polydypsia, psychosis, depression.

hypotension ,hyperventilation, cardiac arrest,respiratory failure, lethargy, teatny, decreased tendon reflex, edema.

-- The priority of treatment is to focus on immediate prevention of potentially life - threatening cardiac conduction disturbances and neuromuscular dysfunction by raising serum potassium level to a safe level.

- correction of underlying etiology .

- correct potassium deficiet.

- replenishing potassium stores .

- evaluating for potential toxities.

- prevent complications.

thank-you.