Hypokalemia tx

Cause: GI loss: suctioning, vomiting, emesis, diarrhea, high dose loop diuretics, penicillin G, steroids, poor nutrition

Treatment:

• KCl, Potassium sparing diuretics (aldactone), parenteral nutrition 
• Oral or parenteral K supplements
• NPO, Potassium Chloride (KCl) is added to IV fluids; 10 mEq/hr

Diet: banana, oranges, potatoes, tomatoes, avocado, spinach, meat, seafood, milk and yogurt

Watch out for digoxin toxicity!
NEVER, EVER give K as an IV push. Very lethal. Use for lethal injection.

Priority: effects of hypokalemia on cardiac impulse transmission, and cardiac + skeletal muscle function, decrease CO, activity intolerance, imbalanced fluid volume