A nurse is caring for a client with hypokalemia. Which finding is most likely?

A nurse is caring for a client with hypokalemia. Which finding is most likely?

• A. Muscle weakness
• B. Hyperreflexia
• C. Diaphoresis
• D. Jaundice

Answer: (A)

Low potassium makes skeletal muscles less excitable, so contraction becomes harder and weakness develops. Potassium helps set the resting membrane potential and enables normal muscle depolarization; when levels drop, muscles fatigue and lose strength, which is the most common sign of hypokalemia. Reflexes may be reduced because the nerves and muscles aren’t responding as well. The other findings aren’t characteristic of low potassium—hyperreflexia isn’t typical in hypokalemia, and diaphoresis or jaundice relate to other conditions. In practice, expect monitoring for potential cardiac effects as well since severe hypokalemia can disrupt conduction.

Low potassium makes skeletal muscles less excitable, so contraction becomes harder and weakness develops. Potassium helps set the resting membrane potential and enables normal muscle depolarization; when levels drop, muscles fatigue and lose strength, which is the most common sign of hypokalemia. Reflexes may be reduced because the nerves and muscles aren’t responding as well. The other findings aren’t characteristic of low potassium—hyperreflexia isn’t typical in hypokalemia, and diaphoresis or jaundice relate to other conditions. In practice, expect monitoring for potential cardiac effects as well since severe hypokalemia can disrupt conduction.