Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

596

Date

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Clinical Nutrition

Committee Chair

Ruth Williams-Hooker

Committee Member

Beth Egan

Abstract

Low serum potassium, medically known as hypokalemia, is a common phenomenon in patients sustaining traumatic injuries and head trauma. Maintenance of potassium homeostasis is imperative to improve outcomes for trauma patients. The nutrition support service at The Regional Medical Center at Memphis has been utilizing an empiric algorithm for potassium repletion for the treatment of hypokalemia in trauma patients requiring specialized nutrition support. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of this potassium repletion algorithm. Methods: retrospective chart review of 57 charts of patients admitted to trauma intensive care. Results: No change in serum potassium levels for thos patients with mild hypokalemia. Serum potassium improved in moderate to severe hyperkalemia groups. Discussion: Treating moderate to severe hyperkalemia with 60 mEq and 80 mEq potassium improves over all serum potassium stores. Mild hypokalemia should not be dismissed but desired results may not be achieved due to extraneous variables.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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