Hypokalemia is a low serum potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L that can be life-threatening as it affects every body system. It is caused by total body potassium loss due to medications, aldosterone excess, vomiting, diarrhea, wounds, or renal disease. Symptoms include weakness, confusion, muscle paralysis, low blood pressure, heart problems, and digestive issues. Treatment involves monitoring the patient, replacing potassium orally or intravenously, and addressing the underlying cause while ensuring safety and a potassium-rich diet.

2. Definition
Hypokalemia is a serum potassium level lower
than 3.5 mEq/L ,Potassium deficit is potentially life-
threatening because every body system is affected.

3. Etiology
1. Actual total body potassium loss
a. Excessive use of medications such as diuretics
or corticosteroids
b. Increased secretion of aldosterone, such as in
Cushing’s syndrome
c. Vomiting, diarrhea
d. Wound drainage, particularly gastrointestinal
e. Prolonged nasogastric suction
f. Excessive diaphoresis
g. Renal disease impairing reabsorption of
potassium

4. 2. Inadequate potassium intake: nothing by mouth
3. Movement of potassium from the extracellular fluid to
the intracellular fluid
a. Alkalosis
b. Hyperinsulinism
4. Dilution of serum potassium
a. Water intoxication
b. IV therapy with potassium-poor solutions

5. CLINICAL MANIFESTATION
CARDIOVASCULAR
• Thready, weak, irregular pulse
• Weak peripheral pulses
• Orthostatic hypotension
Electrocardiogram changes: ST depression, shallow, flat
or inverted T wave, and prominent U wave
RESPIRATORY
• Shallow, ineffective respirations that result from
profound
weakness of the skeletal muscles of respiration
• Diminished breath sounds

6. NEUROMUSCULAR
• Anxiety, lethargy, confusion, coma
• Skeletal muscle weakness, eventual flaccid paralysis
• Loss of tactile discrimination
• Paresthesias
• Deep tendon hyporeflexia
GASTROINTESTINAL
• Decreased motility, hypoactive to absent bowel sounds
• Nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal distention
• Paralytic ileus

7. Management
1. Monitor cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular,
gastrointestinal, and renal status, and place the client on a
cardiac monitor.
2. Monitor electrolyte values.
3. Administer potassium supplements orally or
intravenously, as prescribed.

8. 4. Oral potassium supplements
a. Oral potassium supplements may cause nausea and
vomiting and they should not be taken on an empty
stomach; if the client complains of abdominal pain,
distention, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal
bleeding, the supplement may need to be discontinued.
b. Liquid potassium chloride has an unpleasant
taste and should be taken with juice or another liquid.

9. 5. Intravenously administered potassium
6. Institute safety measures for the client experiencing
muscle weakness.
7. If the client is taking a potassium-losing
diuretic, it may be discontinued; a potassiumsparing
diuretic may be prescribed.
8. Instruct the client about foods that are high in
potassium content

10. Diet rich in potassium
 Common Food Sources
 Avocado,Bananas
 Cantaloupe,Carrots
 Fish,Mushrooms
 Oranges,Potatoes
 Pork, beef, veal
 Raisins,Spinach
 Strawberries,Tomatoes