Hypokalemia
Topic: Medical-surgical
Serum potassium below 3.5 mmol/L; vomiting, diarrhea and loop or thiazide diuretics are common causes. Muscle weakness, cramps, constipation, U waves on the ECG and arrhythmias occur, and it raises the risk of digoxin toxicity. Never give potassium as an IV push; give it diluted, by infusion pump. Oral potassium can irritate the stomach, so give it with food.
- Also known as:
- Low potassium
- In Turkish:
- Hipokalemi
What does Hypokalemia mean?
Hypokalemia is part of the Medical-surgical topic in nursing. Students meet it in class, on clinical placements and while preparing for exams.
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