Hypokalemia: Difference between revisions
(Add algorithm for hypokalemia) |
No edit summary |
||
Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
**U wave (V4-V6) | **U wave (V4-V6) | ||
**QT prolongation | **QT prolongation | ||
**PVCs | |||
[[Image:ECG Hypokalemia.jpg]] | [[Image:ECG Hypokalemia.jpg]] | ||
Revision as of 21:43, 26 March 2016
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
- PVCs
Differential Diagnosis
Shift
- Alkalosis (each 0.10 rise in pH causes 0.5 decrease)
- Insulin
- B-agonist
Decreased intake
- Special diets or those low in potassium
Increased loss
Drugs
- Penicillin
- 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
Source
- Tintinalli