The nurse is caring for a patient with hyperaldosteronism. The nurse notes some non-fatal cardiac rhythm changes on telemetry. What should the nurse do next?
Explanation
• Hyperaldosteronism can lead to hypokalemia and fatal heart arrhythmias.
• Hyperaldosteronism is caused by adrenal hyperplasia, adrenal adenomas, juxtaglomerular tumor, and renal artery stenosis.
• Due to the excess secretion of aldosterone, sodium and water retention are elevated while potassium is excreted. This leads to hypertension, fluid overload, hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, and other electrolyte imbalances.