Accounting The Case: Patient Khaled is a 75-year-old man admitted to the hospital for a small bowel obstruction. His medical history includes hypertension. Khaled is on NPO. He has a nasogastric (NG) tube to low continuous suction. He has an IV of 0.9% NS at 83 mL/hr. Current medications include furosemide, 20 mg daily and hydromorphone, 0.2 mg every 4 hours, as needed for pain. The morning electrolytes reveal serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L.

Questions: 

1. What are possible causes of a low potassium level?

2. What action should the nurse take in relation to the serum potassium level? 

3. What clinical manifestations might the nurse assess in Mr. Khaled?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

What are possible causes of a low potassium level Ans Hypokalemia can be brought on by either real or perceived potassium deficiencies Drugs like diuretics analogues of digitalis or corticosteroids pa... View the full answer