22yr old Lydia has been diagnosed with type I diabetes since she was 14. Lydia was out partying with friends and drank a few cocktails. She then suffered sever abdominal pain and was not able to eat or drink for two days. Lydia later presented to ED and was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis. Lydia's blood test came back showed a potassium level of 5.2 mmol/L. What type of potassium imbalance did Lydia have?
Question
22yr old Lydia has been diagnosed with type I diabetes since she was 14. Lydia was out partying with friends and drank a few cocktails. She then suffered sever abdominal pain and was not able to eat or drink for two days. Lydia later presented to ED and was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis. Lydia's blood test came back showed a potassium level of 5.2 mmol/L. What type of potassium imbalance did Lydia have?
Solution
Lydia has hyperkalemia. Normal potassium levels are typically between 3.6 and 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L). Since Lydia's potassium level is at the upper limit of this range, she is considered to have hyperkalemia. This condition can be caused by a variety of factors, including kidney disease, medications, and in Lydia's case, diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to a high potassium level in the blood due to the body's inability to properly regulate insulin.
Similar Questions
Explain what pathological changes cause Lydia's potassium to rise.
The nurse is admitting a client with a potassium level of 6.0 mEq/L. The nurse reports this finding as a result of? A. acute renal failure. B. malabsorption syndrome. C. nasogastric drainage. D. laxative abuse
Sodium 136 mEq/LPotassium 2.6 mEq/LChloride 93 mEq/LBicarbonate 34 mEq/LBlood urea nitrogen 9 mg/dLCreatinine 0.8 mg/dLGlucose 150 mg/dL (non-fasting)Magnesium 0.6 mEq/L Arterial blood gas pH 7.50 PaO2 95 mmHg PaCO2 48 mmHg Urine studies show high levels of potassium and chloride, and low levels of calcium. Which of the following conditions would produce similar findings to this patient's disease?
Diabetic ketoacidosis
The nurse is caring for a client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) who is receiving an infusion of regular insulin. Which of the following clinical data should be reported to the primary healthcare provider (PHCP) immediately?A. Glucose 297 mg/dL, 16.52 mmol/L(70-110 mg/dL, 4.0–11.0 mmol/L)B. Potassium 3.2 mEq/L, 3.2 mmol/L (3.5-5 mEq/L, 3.5–5.1 mmol/L)C. BUN 24 mg/dL, 8.568 mmol/L (10-20 mg/dL, 2.5 to 6.4 mmol/L)D. Hemoglobin A1C 8.9% (< 7%, 4.8%–6.0%)
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