What is a possible pathophysiologic cause of E.G.’s muscle weakness and dizziness?

E.G. is a 73-year-old woman whose daughter brings her to see the health care provider because she has had a case of the “stomach flu,” with vomiting and diarrhea for the past 3 to 4 days and is now experiencing occasional light-headedness and dizziness. Her medical history includes hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and mild heart failure. The patient is alert and oriented to person only, which her daughter reports is abnormal. Her daughter states “Just this morning she was fine and then later this evening she became confused and asking for my father who died 15 years ago!”
Current Medications:
Captopril 25 mg po twice dailty
Furosemide 40 mg po daily
Potassium chloride 20 mEq po daily
Atorvastatin 20 mg po at bedtime
Digoxin 0.125 mg po daily
Subjective Data
Has been following a low-sodium diet
States her abdomen feels bloated and she has been constipated since the onset of the “flu”
Has been taking her medications except for the potassium chloride pill because it upsets her stomach.
Daughter states occasionally takes an extra “water pill” when her ankles are swollen
Objective Data
Physical Examination
Temperature 98.2°F, pulse 88, respirations 20, BP 138/86
Lungs clear to auscultation, breathing regular and unlabored
+1 edema bilaterally in ankles
Muscle strength in upper extremities normal and equal and in lower extremities weak
Sensation to all extremities normal
Abdomen distended with hypoactive bowel sounds
Diagnostic Studies
Lab values
Sodium 130mEq/L
Potassium 3.0mEq/L
HCO3- 25.4mEq/L
Chloride 99.5 mEq/L
Please respond to all of the questions below in your response:
Question 1
What is a possible pathophysiologic cause of E.G.’s muscle weakness and dizziness? What other symptom does E.G. have that may be related to this problem?
Question 2
What factors contributed to the development of this electrolyte imbalance?
Question 3
What should you be on an alert for in a patient who is on furosemide and digoxin and why?
Question 4
What additional signs and symptoms should you assess E.G. for?
Question 5
What diagnostic test is indicated and why?
Question 6
Write three nursing diagnoses that are appropriate for E.G.
Question 7
What interprofessional care would you anticipate for E.G.?
Question 8
What instructions should you give E.G. regarding the signs and symptoms of this electrolyte imbalance and how to prevent it?
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