Hypokalemia

Etiology / Pathophysiology

• Diuretics, GI loss, insulin shifts, poor intake, alkalosis.
• Low potassium weakens muscles and disrupts cardiac repolarization.

Medications

No specific medication class was seeded for this card.

Nursing actions

• Monitor ECG, muscle weakness, bowel sounds, and potassium replacement safety.
• Never give IV potassium push.
• Clarify digoxin risk if potassium is low.

Complications

• Dysrhythmias
• Respiratory muscle weakness
• Ileus

NCLEX cues

• Weakness, U waves, constipation.
• Loop diuretics can cause it.

Memory hooks

• Low K slows muscles and irritates heart.

Labs / Diagnostics

• Trend assessment findings and ordered diagnostics; verify exact values with school source material.

Review notes

• Session-derived study seed. Verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy before relying on details.