Question

___ must be given immediately when deficiency is identified in certain situations such as hepatic encephalopathy, ventilatory failure, and cardiac arrhythmias (hypokalemia-related electrocardiographic abnormalities)

Answer 1

Potassium supplements must be administered immediately in cases of hypokalemia with severe symptoms, such as cardiac arrhythmias, through intravenous (IV) delivery of potassium chloride (KCl) to correct the deficiency.

Step-by-step explanation:

Potassium supplements must be given immediately when a deficiency is identified in certain situations such as hepatic encephalopathy, ventilatory failure, and cardiac arrhythmias, particularly when related to hypokalemia-induced electrocardiographic abnormalities. Hypokalemia refers to abnormally decreased blood levels of potassium, which can arise from decreased intake often related to starvation, or from gastrointestinal losses, vomiting, diarrhea, or metabolic alkalosis. In severe cases, such as those presenting with life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, intravenous (IV) delivery of potassium chloride (KCl) is required to rapidly correct the imbalance.

K deficiency occurs not only in chronic wasting diseases but also due to gastrointestinal losses and metabolic alkalosis. Hypokalemia can have serious implications for the cardiovascular system, causing hypokalemia-related cardiac arrhythmias, which necessitate immediate medical intervention. Conversely, hyperkalemia is an elevated potassium blood level that can also impair the function of skeletal muscles, the nervous system, and especially the heart, potentially leading to fatal outcomes.