When the post-cardiac surgical patient demonstrates
vasodilation, hypotension, hyporeflexia, slow gastrointestinal
motility (hypoactive bowel sounds), lethargy, and respiratory
depression, the nurse suspects which of the following electrolyte
imbalances?
a) Hypermagnesemia
Untreated hypomagnesemia may result in coma, apnea, cardiac arrest.
b) Hypokalemia
Signs and symptoms of hypokalemia include signs of digitalis toxicity
and dysrhythmias (U wave, AV block, flat or inverted T waves).
c) Hyperkalemia
Signs of hyperkalemia include: mental confusion, restlessness, nausea,
weakness, paresthesias of extremities, dysrhythmias (tall, peaked T
waves; increased amplitude, widening QRS complex; prolonged QT
interval).
d) Hypomagnesemia
Signs and symptoms of hypomagnesemia include: paresthesias,
carpopedal spasm, muscle cramps, tetany, irritability, tremors,
hyperexcitability, hyperreflexia, cardiac dysrhythmias (prolonged PR
and QT intervals, broad flat T waves), disorientation, depression, and
hypotension.
vasodilation, hypotension, hyporeflexia, slow gastrointestinal
motility (hypoactive bowel sounds), lethargy, and respiratory
depression, the nurse suspects which of the following electrolyte
imbalances?
a) Hypermagnesemia
Untreated hypomagnesemia may result in coma, apnea, cardiac arrest.
b) Hypokalemia
Signs and symptoms of hypokalemia include signs of digitalis toxicity
and dysrhythmias (U wave, AV block, flat or inverted T waves).
c) Hyperkalemia
Signs of hyperkalemia include: mental confusion, restlessness, nausea,
weakness, paresthesias of extremities, dysrhythmias (tall, peaked T
waves; increased amplitude, widening QRS complex; prolonged QT
interval).
d) Hypomagnesemia
Signs and symptoms of hypomagnesemia include: paresthesias,
carpopedal spasm, muscle cramps, tetany, irritability, tremors,
hyperexcitability, hyperreflexia, cardiac dysrhythmias (prolonged PR
and QT intervals, broad flat T waves), disorientation, depression, and
hypotension.