Electrolyte imbalances are important to monitor with our clients while in and out of the hospital. Often, medications can interact with one another and can cause electrolytes to become imbalanced

Question

A good example would be diuretics and their effect on potassium, causing hypokalemia.
a. What other medications besides diuretics can affect or deplete potassium levels?
b. What kind of symptoms would you expect to see? What kind of symptoms would you see only by testing?
c. What are the treatment options?

Answer 1

Students' answers should include the following:
a. Included in discussion should be the use of corticosteroids in large dosages, IV insulin and glucose, and nonelectrolyte parenteral fluids.
b. Discussion here should include running electrocardiograms for dysrhythmias and chemistry panel on blood work for potassium levels which, if below 3.5, will affect cardiac rhythms. Also included in discussion should be physical signs and symptoms such as n/v, fatigue, weakness, leg cramps, muscle weakness, and abnormal sensations. Discussion should also include that if left untreated cardiac arrest will result.
c. Treatment options to be included in the discussion here would be potassium supplements and other types of diuretics, if they are on diuretics. Closer monitoring should also be discussed.