Hypokalemia: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
|||
| Line 49: | Line 49: | ||
**every 10meq should inc serum by ~0.1meq/L | **every 10meq should inc serum by ~0.1meq/L | ||
*Treat hypomag if present | *Treat hypomag if present | ||
*Usual dose is 40meq IV or PO unless level is <2.5. If so, both forms should be given | |||
*10meq will raise serum level by 0.1 | |||
*Intravenous K+ typically runs at 10meq/hour, burns when infused, and may cause phelbitis/sclerosis if run faster | |||
*Oral K+ more quickly absorbed and preferred | |||
*KCl elixir easily swallowed, but tastes terrible, KDur oral tablet is large and hard to swallow | |||
==See Also== | |||
[[Electrolyte Abnormalities (Main)]] | |||
==Source == | ==Source == | ||
Revision as of 07:07, 18 December 2013
Background
- Low = <3.5meq/L
- Low! = <2.5meq/L
Clinical Features
- CNS
- Weakness
- Cramps
- Hyporeflexia
- GI
- Ileus
- Renal
- Met alkalosis
- CV
- PACs/PVCs
- Bradycardia or atrial/junctional tachycardia
- AV block
- V tach, V fib
Diagnosis
- ECG findings:
- ST seg depression
- U wave (V4-V6)
- QT prolongation
DDX
- Shift
- Alkalosis (each 0.10 rise in pH causes 0.5 decrease)
- Insulin
- B-agonist
- Decreased intake
- Increased loss
- GI (v/d/fistula)
- Renal
- Diuretics
- Hyperaldo
- Exercise
- HyperCa
- HypoMg
- Drugs
- PCN
- Lithium
- L-dopa
- Theophyline
Treatment
- 20meq/hr KCl IV or PO
- every 10meq should inc serum by ~0.1meq/L
- Treat hypomag if present
- Usual dose is 40meq IV or PO unless level is <2.5. If so, both forms should be given
- 10meq will raise serum level by 0.1
- Intravenous K+ typically runs at 10meq/hour, burns when infused, and may cause phelbitis/sclerosis if run faster
- Oral K+ more quickly absorbed and preferred
- KCl elixir easily swallowed, but tastes terrible, KDur oral tablet is large and hard to swallow
See Also
Electrolyte Abnormalities (Main)
Source
- Tintinalli