Question

Which condition does the nurse identify as a late manifestation of hypokalemia?

A) Muscle weakness
B) Cardiac dysrhythmias
C) Constipation
D) Polyuria

Answer 1

Cardiac dysrhythmias are identified as a late manifestation of hypokalemia, which is the result of low potassium levels in the blood affecting heart muscle cell function.

Step-by-step explanation:

The late manifestation of hypokalemia that the nurse would identify is B) Cardiac dysrhythmias. Hypokalemia, or low levels of potassium in the blood, can lead to various symptoms due to the importance of potassium in nerve and muscle cell function, especially in the heart. Early signs of hypokalemia include muscle weakness, constipation, and polyuria, but as it progresses, it can lead to more serious complications such as potentially fatal cardiac dysrhythmias. These arrhythmias stem from the impaired ability of cardiac cells to depolarize and repolarize correctly due to the potassium imbalance.