Final answer:
Treating patients with low potassium (K+) and low magnesium (Mg) typically involves intravenous supplementation, especially in severe or symptomatic cases. Potassium and magnesium are essential for numerous physiological functions, and IV administration allows for rapid correction when necessary. Option A is correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
To address the question of treating patients with low potassium (K+) and low magnesium (Mg), it is important to first understand the roles that these electrolytes play in the body. Potassium is a major intracellular cation that is vital for maintaining the resting membrane potential in neurons and muscle fibers, particularly after depolarization and during action potentials. Magnesium likewise plays a role in various bodily functions, including enzyme activity, energy production, and nerve function. When levels of potassium and magnesium are low in the body—a condition referred to as hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia, respectively—the standard treatment usually involves replenishment of these electrolytes.
In a clinical setting, such as an emergency room, patients with severe or symptomatic deficiencies usually require intravenous supplementation. This is because IV delivery allows for rapid correction and is often necessary for cases where the patient may have compromised gut function or requires immediate treatment. As the question describes a hospital setting and the need for immediate treatment, the correct answer is a) Intravenous potassium and magnesium.
In practice, a healthcare provider might order an IV with a specific concentration of potassium chloride (KCl) to treat hypokalemia. For instance, the healthcare provider may prescribe an IV delivery of 100 mL of 0.5% KCl. In this scenario, a medical aide would not immediately run to a supply cabinet to grab an IV bag; rather, the specific concentration of KCl would be prepared by a pharmacy or stocked in pre-measured bags, following strict protocols for dosage and administration set by the hospital's pharmacy and therapeutics committee.
Correcting low magnesium is also critical, as it can affect the balance and proper function of other electrolytes, including potassium. The interrelationship between these ions often means that both must be corrected to stabilize the patient effectively.
Therefore, the final answer to the question is a) Intravenous potassium and magnesium.