Did
you ever care for a patient with hypokalemia who despite multiple runs of KCl
and countless mixes of Klor, the potassium level hardly moves? If so, check the
patient’s magnesium level.
Why?
Because
magnesium and potassium are related – just like sisters. They like to do things together. Low magnesium
(hypomagnesemia) is often overlooked yet plays a powerful role in balancing other electrolytes.
If
you’re chasing a patient’s potassium level, check their magnesium level. If
it’s also low, you must treat the magnesium too if you want to increase the
potassium level!
Several weeks ago, I
received a call from the lab with a critical lab result. My patient’s potassium
level was 2.5 mEq/L. Yikes! However, before I contacted the physician, I also
checked to see what his magnesium level was. Yep. It was also low (sisters). I
called the physician with the potassium level to which he immediately gave me
an order for potassium. However, I then told him about the magnesium level
(because he didn’t know) and asked that we also treat the magnesium. I got my
orders for both potassium and magnesium.
This conversation did two things:
·
Effectively
treated my patient
·
Allowed me to
articulate my value as a nurse
Any
time your patient’s potassium level is low, check their magnesium level before
you call the doc. If a magnesium level wasn’t drawn, ask for one to be drawn.
Remember, potassium and magnesium are like sisters – they like to do things
together!
Thanks
for reading and for choosing to become a nurse. I’m cheering for your success!
Renee
For more great tips and resources to help you succeed, click here!
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