Hypokalemia: Difference between revisions
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
== Clinical Features == | == Clinical Features == | ||
*CNS | *CNS | ||
**Weakness | **[[Weakness]] | ||
**Cramps | **Cramps | ||
**Hyporeflexia | **Hyporeflexia | ||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
**Ileus | **Ileus | ||
*Renal | *Renal | ||
** | **[[Metabolic Alkalosis]] | ||
*CV | *CV | ||
**PACs/PVCs | **PACs/PVCs | ||
**Bradycardia or atrial/junctional tachycardia | **[[Bradycardia]] or atrial/junctional tachycardia | ||
**AV block | **AV block | ||
**V tach, V fib | **[[V tach]], [[V fib]] | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
Revision as of 07:14, 18 December 2013
Background
- Low = <3.5meq/L
- Low! = <2.5meq/L
Clinical Features
- CNS
- Weakness
- Cramps
- Hyporeflexia
- GI
- Ileus
- Renal
- 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
- Drugs
- PCN
- Lithium
- L-dopa
- Theophyline
Treatment
- every 10meq should inc serum by ~0.1meq/L
- If level is <2.5, both oral and IV should be given
- Typically 20meq/hr KCl IV or PO
- Oral K+
- more quickly absorbed and preferred
- KCl elixir easily swallowed, but tastes terrible
- KDur oral tablet is large and hard to swallow
- Intravenous K+
- typically runs at 10meq/hour (peripheral line)
- burns when infused, and may cause phelbitis/sclerosis if run faster
- Treat Hypomagnesemia if present
See Also
Electrolyte Abnormalities (Main)
Source
- Tintinalli