Hypokalemia

Background

• Low = <3.5meq/L
• Low! = <2.5meq/L

Clinical Features

• CNS
  • Weakness
  • Cramps
  • Hyporeflexia
• GI
  • Ileus
• Renal
  • Metabolic 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

1. Alkalosis (each 0.10 rise in pH causes 0.5 decrease)
2. Insulin
3. B-agonist

Decreased intake

• Special diets or those low in potassium

Increased loss

1. GI (v/d/fistula)
2. Renal
   • Diuretics
   • Hyperaldo
   • Exercise
   • HyperCa
   • HypoMg

Drugs

1. Penicillin
2. Lithium
3. L-dopa
4. 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