Mr. E, age 53, has a history of alcoholism and went to his physician because of...

Mr. E, age 53, has a history of alcoholism and went to his physician because of recent anorexia, nausea, and diarrhea, as well as heart palpitations and fatigue. He has been taking his diuretic tablet, but not his vitamin and mineral supplement. An ECG and blood tests indicate hypokalemia.

Discuss the possible factors contributing to his electrolyte imbalance and the rationale for his signs and symptoms.

What are the signs of hypokalemia, and why is it important to identify potassium imbalances quickly?

What is the role of potassium in cardiac function?

Solutions

Expert Solution

The possible factors contributing to his electrolyte imbalances are

Diarrhea
Use of diuretics
Lack of taking mineral supplements
Alcohol

The symptoms like nausea, ,diarrhea, heart palpitations, fatigue is because of low potassium levels in the blood called as hypokalemia.

The diarrhea will lead to fluid loss which also will lead to loss of electrolytes like potassium and decrease the intracellular levels. Along with this the effect of diuretics will tend to excrete the electrolyte level resulting in decreased potassium levels.This decrease in the blood will also symptoms of hypokalemia.

The signs and symptoms of hypokalemia are

GIT:nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
CVS:tachycardia, palpitations ,arrhythmia
Respiratory:dyspnea
Musculoskeletal:tingling sensation,muscle weakness ,twisting , cramps, muscle spasms

It is important to identify electrolyte imbalance quickly because this imbalance can affect the functions of vital organs like heart ,lungs and kidney leading fatal events and even death.It can alter the function of heart and lead to cardiac arrest

Potassium are an important component of the cell.They involve in the sodium potassium exchange. It stimulates the production of electrical potential in the nerve cells. This electrical potential is essential for tte contraction of the muscle in the heart.When there us decreased potassium thus contraction will not happen resulting in cardiac arrest and death.

Nightingale answered 1 year ago

Next > < Previous

Related Solutions

Mr. Alvis, age 57, presented to his physician with marked fatigue, nausea with occasional diarrhea, and...

Mr. Alvis, age 57, presented to his physician with marked fatigue, nausea with occasional diarrhea, and a sore, swollen tongue. Lately, he also has been experiencing a tingling feeling in his toes and a feeling of clumsiness. Microscopic examination of a blood sample indicated a reduced number of erythrocytes, many of which are megaloblasts, and a reduced number of leukocytes, including many large, hypersegmented cells. Hemoglobin and serum levels of vitamin B12 were below normal. Additional tests confirm pernicious anemia....

Subjective Medical History Mr. GD, a 78 yr old Caucasian man, is referred by his physician...

Subjective Medical History Mr. GD, a 78 yr old Caucasian man, is referred by his physician for the development of an exercise prescription. Seven years ago he underwent treatment for prostate cancer that included aromatase inhibitors and is now cancer-free. Mr. GD is 5 ft 11 in. (180 cm) tall with a weight of 165 lb (75 kg). He walks his dog daily for 40 minutes, and he generally keeps himself busy with activities around the home and community, but...

Mr. Aponi has a history of dementia. His dementia limits his ability to respond appropriately to...

Mr. Aponi has a history of dementia. His dementia limits his ability to respond appropriately to questions and at times Mr. Aponi is easily agitated and resistant to nursing care. He refuses to take his medications, spitting them back out, gripping the bedside rail when the nurse tries to turn him, and yelling out for his wife to save him. Case Study Mr. Aponi is an 85-year-old man with a history of dementia. He is a resident of a long-term...

Mr. Conley, age 53, is about to be discharged from the hospital after treatment for recurrent...

Mr. Conley, age 53, is about to be discharged from the hospital after treatment for recurrent ventricular fibrillation unresponsive to other agents. To prevent further ventricular ectopy, the health care provider prescribes amiodarone (Cordarone), 1000 mg PO daily as a loading dose for 2 weeks. Why is such a large loading dose required? Select one: A.Most of the drug is destroyed in the GI tract. B.The drug has a long serum half-life. C.A history of ventricular dysrhythmia necessitates a higher...

Mr. F, age 46 years has a history of persistent unproductive cough for several months that...

Mr. F, age 46 years has a history of persistent unproductive cough for several months that has not responded to cough medication, fatigue, and anorexia. Following a chest radiograph (showed a cavity and infiltrate), tuberculin testing (positive), and sputum culture (acid-fast bacteria), a diagnosis was made of active TB infection in the lower right lung. Mr. F was prescribed three antitubercular drugs, and his family was scheduled for testing and prophylactic medication. 1. a) Why was his TB not detected...

Mr. A. went to his older sister for breakfast to visit his older sister and 9-month-old...

Mr. A. went to his older sister for breakfast to visit his older sister and 9-month-old niece, whom he had not seen for a long time. Seeing that the baby threw an olive in his mouth and swallowed it during breakfast, Mr. A. noticed that the baby could not make a sound and started to turn purple. On the other hand, he saw that her sister tried to stand up quickly and the hot tea glass on the table, which...

Mr. Brennan, age 63, has smoked cigarettes since he was 14. He has a long history...

Mr. Brennan, age 63, has smoked cigarettes since he was 14. He has a long history of gradually increasing dyspnea. Currently, he has a chronic morning cough productive of only scant white sputum. Mr. Brennan has been losing weight and now feels fatigued and weak at all times. Upon examination, he has a barrel chest. His diagnosis is emphysema. a. What assessment questions should you ask Mr. Brennan? b. Why should you assess Mr. Brennan for swollen ankles and distended...

Mr. X has been seen his business growing and increasing. It is a good business because...

Mr. X has been seen his business growing and increasing. It is a good business because online sales are available to reach all segment customers. The company is categorized as Small Medium Enterprises. Mr. X tried to anticipate these sales increased by buying more inventories. By buying more inventories, the company can fulfill increasing demand and attract new customers. This is data at present time: Total Assets IDR 100 Fixed Assets IDR 40 Total current assets IDR 60 which including...

A 52-year-old man went to his physician for a physi- cal examination. The patient had been...

A 52-year-old man went to his physician for a physi- cal examination. The patient had been a district manager for an automobile insurance company for the past 10 years and was 24 pounds overweight. He had missed his last two appointments with the phy- sician because of business. The urinalysis dipstick finding was not remarkable. His blood pressure was elevated. The blood chemistry results are listed Analyte Patient Value Reference Range Na 151 135–143 mmol/l K 4.5 3.0–5.0 mmol/l Cl...

Mike L., a 47-year-old man, went to his physician for an annual physical that had been...

Mike L., a 47-year-old man, went to his physician for an annual physical that had been postponed for over 3 years. He had started his own business 4 years ago and had been extremely busy getting it established. Mike’s medical history indicated he was a nonsmoker, and his father and grandfather had histories of myocardial infarctions before age 55. Since she had not seen this patient in a number of years, the physician decided to order routine screening tests. CHEMISTRY...

Subjects