What is potassium and what does it do in the body?Potassium is a mineral that controls nerve and muscle function. The heart beats at a normal rhythm because of potassium. Potassium is also necessary for maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance and pH level. Show In order for potassium to perform these functions, blood levels must be kept between 3.5 and 5.5 mEq/L. The kidneys help keep potassium at a normal level. When is potassium too low or too high?Low potassium Potassium comes from the foods we eat. Healthy kidneys remove excess potassium in the urine to help maintain normal levels in the blood. Because most foods have potassium, low potassium (hypokalemia) is uncommon in people who eat a healthy diet. Some of the effects of low potassium include muscle weakness, cramping and fatigue. High potassium When kidneys fail they can no longer remove excess potassium, so the level builds up in the body. High potassium in the blood is called hyperkalemia, which may occur in people with advanced stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Some of the effects of high potassium are nausea, weakness, numbness and slow pulse. For people with stage 5 CKD (also known as end stage kidney disease or ESKD), dialysis is necessary to help regulate potassium. Between dialysis treatments, however, potassium levels rise and high-potassium foods must be limited. Have your potassium levels checked regularly and ask your renal dietitian or doctor about your potassium results. How to prevent potassium levels from getting too highHere are things you can do to keep your potassium at safe levels:
What to eat and what to limit The suggestions and lists below are some high- and low-potassium foods.
High-potassium foods Limit high-potassium foods or talk with a kidney dietitian about how to incorporate these foods into your diet. Watch our “High-Potassium Vegetable Substitutions for the Kidney Diet” video to learn more about which high-potassium vegetables to avoid, and which low-potassium vegetables you can use as substitutes.
Low-potassium foods Ask your dietitian about the amount you can safely eat.
DaVita.com’s Diet & Nutrition section has free tools and resources to help you stick to a kidney-friendly diet. Search tasty, low-potassium recipes and use the Food Analyzer tool to look up nutrient information (such as potassium and phosphorus) for thousands of foods. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Consult your physician regarding your specific diagnosis, treatment, diet and health questions. Which food would the nurse recommend to a client when instructing to increase potassium?Triamterene is a potassium-retaining diuretic, so the client should avoid foods high in potassium. Fruits that are naturally high in potassium include dried prunes, avocado, bananas, fresh oranges and mangoes, nectarines, and papayas.
Which food is recommended for the patient who must increase intake of potassium quizlet?Tomatoes and spinach are good sources of potassium. Cheese and crackers are sources of calcium and fiber. Peanut butter is a good source of protein; jelly is mostly sugar and does not provide necessary nutrients. Apples and grapes are fruit and are sources of fiber.
What foods are high in potassium quizlet?Terms in this set (5). Milk and Milk Products. Dairy.. Whole Grain, Granola, and Bran. Grains.. Most fish and selfish, most beef products, and pork. Proteins.. Dried fruits, melon, avocados, oranges, mangoes, nectarines, strawberries, and bananas. ... . Cruciferous Vegetables, legumes, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, and Raw Carrots.. What fruit is high in potassium?Bananas, oranges, cantaloupe, honeydew, apricots, grapefruit (some dried fruits, such as prunes, raisins, and dates, are also high in potassium)
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