More questions on this topic
More questions on this topic ( 27 Questions)
A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client who has hypokalemia. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
ed serum pH. This is incorrect because hypokalemia usually causes increased serum pH, not decreased. This is because low potassium levels can lead to metabolic alkalosis, a condition where the blood is too alkaline due to loss of acid from the body. This can happen in cases of vomiting, diuretic use, or mineralocorticoid excess.
ed serum calcium. This is incorrect because hypokalemia does not directly affect serum calcium levels. However, hypokalemia can cause hypomagnesemia, or low magnesium levels, which can in turn cause hypercalcemia, or high calcium levels. This is because magnesium is needed for the secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates calcium balance in the body. Low magnesium levels can lead to increased PTH secretion and increased calcium reabsorption from the bones and kidneys.
ed serum magnesium. This is correct because hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia often occur together, especially in cases of chronic diarrhea, malabsorption, alcoholism, or diuretic use. This is because potassium and magnesium are both lost in the urine or stool when these conditions are present. Hypomagnesemia can also cause hypokalemia by impairing the reabsorption of potassium in the kidneys and increasing the entry of potassium into the cells.
ed serum bicarbonate. This is incorrect because hypokalemia usually causes decreased serum bicarbonate, not increased. This is because low potassium levels can lead to metabolic acidosis, a condition where the blood is too acidic due to accumulation of acid in the body. This can happen in cases of diabetic ketoacidosis, renal tubular acidosis, or chronic kidney disease.
Choice A: Decreased serum pH. This is incorrect because hypokalemia usually causes increased serum pH, not decreased. This is because low potassium levels can lead to metabolic alkalosis, a condition where the blood is too alkaline due to loss of acid from the body. This can happen in cases of vomiting, diuretic use, or mineralocorticoid excess.
Choice B:
Increased serum calcium. This is incorrect because hypokalemia does not directly affect serum calcium levels. However, hypokalemia can cause hypomagnesemia, or low magnesium levels, which can in turn cause hypercalcemia, or high calcium levels. This is because magnesium is needed for the secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which regulates calcium balance in the body. Low magnesium levels can lead to increased PTH secretion and increased calcium reabsorption from the bones and kidneys.
Choice C:
Decreased serum magnesium. This is correct because hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia often occur together, especially in cases of chronic diarrhea, malabsorption, alcoholism, or diuretic use. This is because potassium and magnesium are both lost in the urine or stool when these conditions are present. Hypomagnesemia can also cause hypokalemia by impairing the reabsorption of potassium in the kidneys and increasing the entry of potassium into the cells.
Choice D:
Increased serum bicarbonate. This is incorrect because hypokalemia usually causes decreased serum bicarbonate, not increased. This is because low potassium levels can lead to metabolic acidosis, a condition where the blood is too acidic due to accumulation of acid in the body. This can happen in cases of diabetic ketoacidosis, renal tubular acidosis, or chronic kidney disease.