Question: kidneys & K+

4boysmama · Jan 30, 2014

Think back to A+P... where is potassium controlled/processed in the body? What happens if potassium is poorly controlled and levels get high in the blood?

spearsfm · Jan 30, 2014

Just adding on to what ^ she said above..Potassium is a dense molecule so if the kidneys are not.functioning as they should be and a patient is given potassium via any route then it could cause hyperkalemia because the kidneys would not be able to excrete it properly.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2014

Don't know what "dense molecule" means in this context-- it's an electrolyte. But if the kidneys are failing, what does that mean they aren't able to do well in terms of potassium? You will find the answer in your physiology book.

One thing students learn to do is look in all of their books for answers, not just their nursing texts. Unlike many other majors, in nursing you are actively held responsible for maintaining a good working knowledge of all the stuff you learned in prior semesters, including prereqs, and being able to apply it prn. This is one of those times. :)

Pink Magnolia, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2014

Before giving any medication, you always have to perform a pre-administration assessment (NURSING PROCESS). Why? So you can collect baseline data to evaluate therapeutic responses, identifying high-risk PTs, and assess PT capacity for adhering to the regimen.

Before giving antihypertensive medication, you must assess the PT's BP.

Before giving a PT dantrolene, you must assess the PT's liver function.

Before giving potassium, you must assess renal function.

Potassium maintains nerve impulses & acid-base balance. The kidneys regulate potassium and when they fail to work properly, K levels can build up in the body. Chronic Kidney Disease would be a great example! It's important to regulate and maintain proper K levels in these PTs. They have to watch their diets closely to make sure they are not receiving too much through the foods and drinks they consume. In fact, many older diabetics can develop CKD. If someone is hyperkalemia, the ECG may show a peaked T wave, and some could even experience cardiac arrest if levels are excessive (like 8 mEq/L)!

Sometimes you may have to assess K levels before giving actual meds! Giving digoxin with someone who has low K levels could be toxic. If someone is hypokalemia, they have an increased risk for stoke & hypertension.

Baselines are very very important! I hope this helps!

Lev, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 1, 2014

Look up how potassium is excreted from the body. What do kidneys create? BIG hint.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2014

(as a brief clarification, "PT" means "physical therapy/therapist." "Pt" or "pt" means "patient." I couldn't figure out why you were hiring high-risk PTs, checking their blood pressures, giving dantrolene or checking their hepatic functions. :) )

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2014

Use your thinking sills....if the kidneys job is to filter and the kidney's are failing at their job why would you need to check their function before giving a substance they usually filter?

Pink Magnolia, BSN, RN · Feb 5, 2014

(as a brief clarification, "PT" means "physical therapy/therapist." "Pt" or "pt" means "patient." I couldn't figure out why you were hiring high-risk PTs, checking their blood pressures, giving dantrolene or checking their hepatic functions. :) )

HAHA thanks!