A full NCLEX® review of potassium imbalances worked from mechanism to bedside, with two priority-style practice questions and complete rationales. A UWorld nurse educator breaks down hyperkalemia and hypokalemia one cause, sign, and treatment at a time.

Potassium is one of the most heavily tested electrolytes because it controls muscle conduction, and no muscle matters more on the exam than the heart. This session gives you a mental model to reason from instead of a list to memorize. Hyperkalemia becomes a weak muscle problem and hypokalemia a jittery one, each traced back to the sodium potassium pump, then applied to two NCLEX-style questions on prioritization and adverse drug effects.

Concepts covered: sodium potassium pump, normal potassium range, hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, impaired kidney function, potassium sparing diuretics, spironolactone, diabetic ketoacidosis, the hydrogen and potassium relationship, rhabdomyolysis, tumor lysis syndrome, tall peaked T waves, prolonged QRS, ascending paralysis, ventricular fibrillation, asystole, IV calcium gluconate, insulin with dextrose, furosemide, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, dialysis, potassium chloride safety, IV piggyback rate limits, and the potassium rich diet.

00:00 Introduction to NCLEX Electrolyte Review  
01:49 NCSBN Test Plan Breakdown  
03:19 Functions of Potassium  
03:49 Sodium Potassium Pump Mechanics  
05:40 Normal Potassium Reference Ranges  
06:49 Causes of Hyperkalemia  
07:34 Kidney Function and Potassium  
08:39 DKA and Insulin Deficiency  
10:04 Cell Destruction and Hyperkalemia  
11:03 Hyperkalemia Symptoms and ECG  
13:33 Cardiac Complications of Hyperkalemia  
14:18 Hyperkalemia Treatment Interventions  
15:38 Insulin and Dextrose Protocol  
16:43 Potassium Excretion and Kayexalate  
18:08 Causes of Hypokalemia  
20:18 Hypokalemia Symptoms and ECG  
21:53 Hypokalemia Treatment and Management  
23:03 Safe IV Potassium Administration  
24:08 Potassium Rich Diet Foods  
26:33 NCLEX Practice Questions and Rationales

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