Hypokalemia
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Basics
Description
- Hypokalemia: Serum potassium <3.5 mEq/L:
- Mild: 3–3.5 mEq/L
- Moderate: 2.5–2.9 mEq/L
- Severe: <2.5 mEq/L
- 98% of total body potassium is found intracellularly
- Cellular potassium gradient is maintained by Ns-K ATPase
- Functions of intra- and extracellular potassium gradient:
- Resting cell membrane potential
- Cardiac activity
- Muscle and nerve activity
Etiology
Renal Losses- Most common site of potassium loss
- Medications: Diuretics, penicillin and its derivatives, cisplatin
- Hyperaldosteronism
- Genetic disorders: Bartter syndrome and Gitelman syndrome
GI Losses
- Drainage from NG tube
- Increased ostomy output
- Vomiting/diarrhea
Poor Intake (Rare as a Sole Cause)
- <1 g of potassium per day
- Chronic malnourishment
- Alcoholism
Sweat
5% daily
-- To view the remaining sections of this topic, please log in or purchase a subscription --
Basics
Description
- Hypokalemia: Serum potassium <3.5 mEq/L:
- Mild: 3–3.5 mEq/L
- Moderate: 2.5–2.9 mEq/L
- Severe: <2.5 mEq/L
- 98% of total body potassium is found intracellularly
- Cellular potassium gradient is maintained by Ns-K ATPase
- Functions of intra- and extracellular potassium gradient:
- Resting cell membrane potential
- Cardiac activity
- Muscle and nerve activity
Etiology
Renal Losses- Most common site of potassium loss
- Medications: Diuretics, penicillin and its derivatives, cisplatin
- Hyperaldosteronism
- Genetic disorders: Bartter syndrome and Gitelman syndrome
GI Losses
- Drainage from NG tube
- Increased ostomy output
- Vomiting/diarrhea
Poor Intake (Rare as a Sole Cause)
- <1 g of potassium per day
- Chronic malnourishment
- Alcoholism
Sweat
5% daily
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