Case Study
RD is a 29 yo F admitted with intractable diarrhea and abdominal pain.She has a PMH of Crohn's disease and has had two previous resections of the small bowel.She frequently has pain in the RLQ after eating.She claims the pain often gets so bad that she is afraid to eat and has been progressively consuming below her caloric needs.She currently takes Asacol and Lomotil to manage the symptoms of Crohn's disease.After undergoing a colonoscopy, an obstruction resulting from stricture in the terminal ileum was discovered.Emergency sgy was performed to remove the obstruction and a resection was done with the remaining intestine.RD's gastroenterologist recommends bowel rest and expects her to have a full recovery.
HT: 5'4" WT: 110# UBW: 122#
Diet: NPO Meds: Asacol, Lomotil
Alb.2.7 Pre-Alb.17
Na: 138 Cl: 98 BUN: 5
Glucose: 80
K: 3.6 CO₂: 25 Cr: 0.8
-Because of RD's diarrhea, which of the following electrolytes becomes of concern?

Question

Case Study
RD is a 29 yo F admitted with intractable diarrhea and abdominal pain.She has a PMH of Crohn's disease and has had two previous resections of the small bowel.She frequently has pain in the RLQ after eating.She claims the pain often gets so bad that she is afraid to eat and has been progressively consuming below her caloric needs.She currently takes Asacol and Lomotil to manage the symptoms of Crohn's disease.After undergoing a colonoscopy, an obstruction resulting from stricture in the terminal ileum was discovered.Emergency sgy was performed to remove the obstruction and a resection was done with the remaining intestine.RD's gastroenterologist recommends bowel rest and expects her to have a full recovery.
HT: 5'4"      WT: 110#        UBW: 122#
Diet: NPO      Meds: Asacol, Lomotil
Alb.2.7          Pre-Alb.17
Na: 138        Cl: 98      BUN: 5
Glucose: 80
K: 3.6         CO₂: 25      Cr: 0.8
-Because of RD's diarrhea, which of the following electrolytes becomes of concern?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

With intractable diarrhea, there is concern for potassium loss due to increased bowel movements. The low potassium level (3.6 mEq/L) in RD's lab results supports this concern. Therefore, the electrolyte of concern is potassium (K). RD may require potassium supplementation to correct the deficiency. With intractable diarrhea, the main electrolyte of concern is potassium (K). Normal levels are 3.5-5.0 mEq/L, and RD's level is 3.6 mEq/L, which is within the normal range but close to the low end. The other electrolytes listed (Fe, Zn, Mg) are not typically lost in significant amounts during diarrhea.

Case Study RD Is a 29 Yo F Admitted with Intractable Diarrhea