Hypokalaemia

Causes

• Losses

  • Diarrhoea- Gastroenteritis, colitis

    • High output stoma

  • Vomiting

  • Renal disease

    • Renal Tubular Acidosis 

    • Renal Tubulopathies (Inherited) 

• Lack of intake

  • Malnourishment- self neglect, alcohol, anorexia

• Lack of absorption

  • Hypomagnesaemia

Assessment

Diagnosis: EUC blood test or blood gas

Presentation: 

• Can be asymptomatic

• Vomiting, lethargy

Investigations: EUC, serum Mg2+

Management

K+

• 3.5 -5 = normal

• 3.0- 3.5 = PO replacement

• 2.5-3.0 = IV replacement

• <2.5: HDU for monitoring

Oral replacement

• KCL 2 tabs TDS for 3 days

IV Replacement

• • 40mmol KCL with 20mmol of MgSO4

  • 10mmol/hr on the ward

  • 20mmol/ hr with telemetry/ monitoring in HDU