Dysrhythmia, hypokalemia causing

Hypokalemia, secondary to mineralocorticoid effects, can cause cardiac dysrhythmias and cardiac arrest. 

Leg cramps may indicate a low blood potassium level the nurse should hold the medication until the potassium level can be checked. Loop diuretics cause the kidneys to excrete potassium. Hypokalemia can cause life-threatening dysrhythmias. 

In very severe cases, hypokalemia can cause abnormal heart beat (i.e., dysrhythmia) that can lead to death from cardiac arrest. Hypokalemia also can result in hypochloremia as the body attempts to retain potassium by excreting sodium and chloride. 

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