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What Causes Hypokalemia?

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Posted on Wed, 28 Jan 2015
Question: nurse conclude that a history of which of the following conditions place the client at risk for hypokalemia
well I would like to know if the answer would be chronic renal failure or cirrhosis of the liver
my next question would be what observation is a reliable indicator that therapy for fluid volume excess is achieving the desired outcome
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
liver cirrhosis

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome to Healthcare Magic.

1) Most likely to cause Hypokalemia is Liver cirrhosis through some mechanisms
Chronic renal failure causes high blood potassium level (Hyperkalemia) because
kidneys do not work properly and cannot remove potassium from blood ,in this way it builds up in body causing hyperkalemia.

2)There are some clinical parameters that can evaluate if the fluid therapy is adequate including :
-Mean arterial pressure, Central venous pressure.
-Urine output
-Capillary refill
-Skin perfusion
-Arterial blood gases


Hope it helps.
Let me know if you have any other question or doubt to clarify.I will be happy to assist you further.

Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rovena (2 hours later)
Dr. Rovena I appreciate that you replied ,but the second question wasn't answered the way I would that is not the answer I was looking for , would it be flat neck vein with head of bed elevated or full peripheral pulses
a patient admitted to the hospital with respiratory acidosis which one of the following conditions most likely to lead to the development of this state?.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Rovena (13 hours later)
Brief Answer:
detailed below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

I really apologize for the delay in answering you but difference in time in our countries is the major factor.
I am sorry that I might have misunderstood your second question.
To answer that I can tell that central venous pressure (the pressure in Jugular vein in the neck) is more valuable indicator to evaluate a fluid therapy.
In distended jugular veins may indicate that the patient has fluid volume excess,and flat jugular vein indicates a low pressure in central venous system and hypovolemia.
Physical findings or volume fluid excess are evaluated together (examination jugular veins and peripheral pulses).

Regarding Respiratory acidosis ,there are many possible causes for that.
This condition occurs when the production of CO2 is increased and it accumulates in blood causing low pH of blood.
The most common causes are :
-Obstructive or restrictive lung disease
-Airway obstruction
-The use of anesthetic drugs,
-Neuromuscular disease
-Chest trauma (contusion ,haemothorax ), Pneumothorax

Chronic renal failure and liver cirrhosis can cause metabolic acidosis but a marked ascitis due to liver cirrhosis can also cause respiratory acidosis because in interferes with ventilation.

Take care,
Dr.Rovena
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Rovena

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2013

Answered : 1243 Questions

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What Causes Hypokalemia?

Brief Answer: liver cirrhosis Detailed Answer: Hello! Welcome to Healthcare Magic. 1) Most likely to cause Hypokalemia is Liver cirrhosis through some mechanisms Chronic renal failure causes high blood potassium level (Hyperkalemia) because kidneys do not work properly and cannot remove potassium from blood ,in this way it builds up in body causing hyperkalemia. 2)There are some clinical parameters that can evaluate if the fluid therapy is adequate including : -Mean arterial pressure, Central venous pressure. -Urine output -Capillary refill -Skin perfusion -Arterial blood gases Hope it helps. Let me know if you have any other question or doubt to clarify.I will be happy to assist you further. Kind regards, Dr.Rovena Murati