1. The client/caregiver can list causes of high potassium (hypercalcemia) and need for reduced-potassium diets.
   1. Renal (kidney) disease and failure
   2. Diabetic acidosis
   3. Severe dehydration
   4. Excessive cell destruction resulting from traumas such as burns or crushing injuries
   5. Excessive potassium intake (intravenous potassium or potassium supplements)
   6. Massive and severe infections
   7. Potassium-sparing diureticsOveruse of salt substitutes (contains potassium instead of sodium)
   8. Overuse of salt substitutes (contains potassium instead of sodium)
2. The client/caregiver can list signs and symptoms of high potassium.
   1. Diarrhea or nausea
   2. Muscle weakness followed by flaccid paralysis beginning in the legs
   3. Sensation of numbness and tingling (paresthesias)
   4. Changes in the heart rhythm
   5. Cardiac fibrillation and arrest
3. The client/caregiver can list high-potassium foods to avoid.
   1. Vegetables—bamboo shoots, beet greens, baked potato (with skin), fresh sweet potato, and cooked spinach
   2. Fruits—avocado, bananas, fresh orange or mango, nectarines, papayas, and dried prunes
   3. Others—bran cereals and bran products, chocolate, cocoa, molasses, salt substitute, low-sodium broth, low-sodium baking powder,low-sodium baking soda, and nuts
4. The client/caregiver can list low-potassium foods and beverages to use when potassium is restricted.
   1. Low-potassium foods are hard, clear candy, nondairy toppings, jams and jellies, jelly beans, lollipops, marshmallows, lifesavers, chewing gum, and cornstarch.
   2. Low-potassium beverages are carbonated beverages, lemonade, cranberry juice, popsicles, Hawaiian punch, and Kool-aid.

Resources

My Pyramid—United States Department of Agriculture
www.mypyramid.gov

References

Lutz, C., & Przytulski, K. (2001). Nutrition and diet therapy. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis Company.
Lutz, C., & Przytulski, K. (2004). Nutri notes: Nutrition &diet therapy pocket guide. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis Company.
Nutrition made incredibly easy. (2003). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Perry, A., & Potter, P. (2006). Clinical nursing skills & technique. St. Louis: Mosby Inc.
Taylor, C., Lillis, C., & LeMone, P. (2005). Fundamentals of nursing . Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
Timby, B. K., & Smith, N. C. (2003). Introductory medical-surgical nursing (8th ed.). Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.