Question

Child’s medical diagnosis: HYPOKALEMIA

Co-morbid conditions and effect on present illness:

Etiology of the disease:

Pathophysiology of the disease:

Clinical manifestations of the disease:

Health Promotion:

Assess how patient’s growth and development has been impacted by his/her disease:

CITE REFERENCE

Answer 1

#. Hypokalemia - Deficient serum levels of the potassium less than 3.5mEq/l.

#. Pathophysiology :-

Slight deviations in serum levels can produce profound clinical consequences.

Deviations result from deficient intake of potassium, increased excretion of potassium, or a shift from extracellular to intracellular space.

Potassium imbalance can lead to muscle weakness and flaccid paralysis because of an ionic imbalance in neuromuscular tissue excitability.

#. Causes :-

Acid-base imbalances

Certain drugs, especially potassium-wasting diuretics, steroids, and certain sodium-containing antibiotics (carbenicillin) (see Drugs causing hypokalemia)

Chronic renal disease, with tubular potassium wasting

Cushing's syndrome

Excessive GI or urinary losses, such as vomiting, gastric suction, diarrhea, dehydration, anorexia, or chronic laxative abuse

Excessive ingestion of licorice

Hyperglycemia

Low-potassium diet

Primary hyperaldosteronism

Prolonged potassium-free I.V. therapy

Severe serum magnesium deficiency

Trauma (injury, burns, or surgery)

#. Clinical manifestations of hypokalemia :-

- Cardiovascular

Weak thready irregular pulse, week PP, orthostatic hypotension

- Respiratory

Shallow ineffective resps, diminished breath sounds

- Neuromuscular

Anxiety, lethargic, confusion, coma, skeletal muscle weakness, leg cramps, loss of tactile discrimination, parenthesias, deep tendon hyporeflexia

- G.I.

Decreased motility, Decreased BS, nausea vomiting constipation abdominal distention, paralytic ileus

- ECG

ST depression, shallow flat or inverted T waves, prominent U waves

#. Health promotion :-

- Have potassium rich diet .

- Take a potassium supplement as directed by your healthcare provider.

- Be sure to eat foods or drink fluids that contain potassium if you are having diarrhea or vomiting.

- Have your potassium levels checked regularly.

- Take all medicines exactly as directed.

- Tell your healthcare provider about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines you are taking. This includes herbal products.

- Avoid foods that are high in salt. Avoid canned and prepared foods that are high in salt.

- Regular Follow-up

- Call your provider right away or go to the emergency room if you have any of the following:

Vomiting

Fatigue

Diarrhea

Rapid, irregular heartbeat

Shortness of breath

Chest pain

Muscle cramps, spasms, or twitching

Weakness

Paralysis