Electrolyte Imbalance

Patient Profile
E.G. is a 73-year-old woman whose daughter brings her to see the health care provider because she has had a case of the “stomach flu,” with vomiting and diarrhea for the past three to four days and is now experiencing occasional light-headedness and dizziness. Her past medical history includes hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and mild heart failure. She is taking:

Digoxin (Lanoxin) 0.125 mg po daily.
Captopril (Capoten) 25 mg po BID.
Furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg po daily.
Potassium chloride (K-tab) 20 mEq po daily.
Simvastatin (Zocor) 20 mg po at bedtime.

Subjective Data

Has been following a low sodium diet
States her abdomen feels bloated and she has been constipated since the onset of the “flu”
Has been taking her medications except for the potassium chloride pill because it upsets her stomach.
Occasionally takes an extra “water pill” when her ankles are swollen

Objective Data
Physical Examination
Temperature 98.2° F, pulse 88, respirations 20, BP 138/86
Lungs clear to auscultation, breathing regular and unlabored
+1 edema bilaterally in ankles
Muscle strength in upper extremities normal and equal and in lower extremities weak
Sensation to all extremities normal
Abdomen distended with hypoactive bowel sounds

Diagnostic Studies
Lab values
Sodium 139.0 mEq/L
Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
HCO3- 25.4 mEq/L
Chloride 99.5 mEq/L

Discussion Questions:

1. What is a possible pathophysiologic cause of E.G.’s muscle weakness and dizziness? What other symptom does E.G. have that may be related to this problem?

2. What factors contributed to the development of this electrolyte imbalance?

3. What should you be on an alert for in a patient who is on furosemide and digoxin and why?

4. What additional signs and symptoms should you assess E.G. for?

5. What diagnostic test is indicated and why?

6. What instructions should you give E.G. regarding the signs and symptoms of this electrolyte imbalance and how to prevent it?