QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS EDITION.
Hyperkalemia S/S
M.U.R.D.E.R.
M - Muscle weakness
U - Urine, oliguria, anuria
R- Respiratory distress
D - Decreased cardiac contractility
E - ECG changes
R - Reflexes, hyperreflexia, or areflexia (flaccid)
Hyperkalemia treatment
Dialysis-kidneys arent working
calcium gluconate-decreases arrythmias
glucose and insulin- carries glucose and potassium into the cells (with this, watch for
hypokalemia and hypoglycemia)
kayexelate (sodium polystyrene sulfonate)- always back up with fluids to avoid
dehydration.
what ECG changes do you expect with hyperkalemia
bradycardia, tall & peaked T waves, prolonged PR intervals, flat or absent P waves,
widened QRS, conduction blocks and V-fib
What ECG Changes do you expect with hypokalemia
U waves, PVC's, V-tach
Hypokalemia causes
vomiting, NG suction, diuretics, not eating
Hypokalemia S/S
Muscle cramps and muscle weakness.
Hypokalemia treatment
give potassium-oral or IV
spironolactone (potassium retaining diuretics')
, NEVER PUSH POTASSIUM- always assess output with someone on IV potassium
eat more potassium
Oral potassium considerations
GI upset- give with food
What do you assess before and after IV potassium?
urinary output
What foods are high in potassium?
Avocados, Mangos, Bananas, Orange Juice, Dried Fruit, Cantaloupe, Dried Peas,
Beans, Tomato Sauce, & Potatoes, strawberries, kiwi, tuna, halibut, dark leafy greens
Normal pH range
7.35-7.45
(Below 7.35 = Acidity)
(Above 7.45= Alkaline)
Acidotic person will be
lethargic
alkalotic person will be
excitable
PaO2 normal range
80-100 mm Hg
PaCO2 normal range
35-45 mm Hg
HCO3 (normal range) bicarbonate
22-26 mEq/L
what is respiratory acidosis
A drop in blood pH due to hypoventilation (too little breathing) and a resulting
accumulation of Co2.
respiratory acidosis characteristics
low pH, high CO2
repiratory acidosis causes
- Hypoventaliation
- decreased stimuli (OD, anastesia)/sleeping pill