HYPOKALEMIAHYPOKALEMIAMANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT

Ghazalah Malik, MDGhazalah Malik, MD

PGY 1PGY 1

Preparations:Preparations:

Oral: Salt substitutes contain 50 to Oral: Salt substitutes contain 50 to 65 mEq per 5 mL65 mEq per 5 mL

IV: KCL can be added in intravenous IV: KCL can be added in intravenous fluids at concentrations of 20 to 40 fluids at concentrations of 20 to 40 meq per liter of fluid through a meq per liter of fluid through a peripheral vein. A saline solution is peripheral vein. A saline solution is preferred over Dextrose.preferred over Dextrose.

TreatmentTreatment

Asymptomatic, potassium >3 mEq/LAsymptomatic, potassium >3 mEq/L  1.1. 10-20meq of KCL 2-4 times a day. 10-20meq of KCL 2-4 times a day.

Mild to moderate symptoms or potassium <3.0 Mild to moderate symptoms or potassium <3.0 mEq/LmEq/L1.1. Oral replacement of KCL 40-60 meq of KCL 3-4 times a day.Oral replacement of KCL 40-60 meq of KCL 3-4 times a day.

Severe symptoms or unable to take oral Severe symptoms or unable to take oral medication, or potassium medication, or potassium <2.5meq/l :<2.5meq/l :1.1. A maximal intravenous repletion rate 10 to 20 mEq/h, A maximal intravenous repletion rate 10 to 20 mEq/h,

and maximal concentration of 100 to 200 meq/L (prepared in and maximal concentration of 100 to 200 meq/L (prepared in 100 mL). 100 mL).

2.2. Follow the serum potassium concentration closely. Follow the serum potassium concentration closely. 3.3. Continuous ECG monitoring in patients receiving Continuous ECG monitoring in patients receiving

potassium at 10 to 20 meq/h or faster.potassium at 10 to 20 meq/h or faster.

Thank youThank you