Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

Hypokalemia can lead to which of the following symptoms?

1. Increased heart rate

2. Muscle weakness

3. High blood pressure

4. Excessive sweating

The correct answer is: Muscle weakness

Hypokalemia, which is a condition characterized by low levels of potassium in the blood, often leads to a variety of symptoms due to the crucial role potassium plays in muscle function and nerve signaling. Muscle weakness is a primary and commonly recognized symptom of hypokalemia. Potassium is essential for proper muscle contraction, and inadequate levels can disrupt this process, resulting in weakness and fatigue in skeletal muscles. While other symptoms can present in the context of low potassium levels, such as changes in heart rhythm or blood pressure alterations, muscle weakness is particularly prominent and directly linked to potassium deficiency. This symptom can vary in severity based on the degree of potassium depletion, making it a significant concern in clinical practice for patient monitoring and care.