Sections View Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Full Chapter Figures Tables Videos Supplementary Content + • Depressed serum potassium +++ Epidemiology + • Alcoholics• Elderly• Prolonged NPO• Hyperaldosteronism +++ Symptoms and Signs + • Decreased muscle contractility• Paralysis +++ Laboratory Findings + • Depressed serum potassium• Alkalosis can contribute• Hypomagnesemia can contribute to refractoriness + • Laboratory error or difficulty with phlebotomy; blood drawn from above an IV infusion can have spurious results with very low potassium +++ Rule Out + • Hypomagnesemia + • Serum electrolytes including magnesium• ABG (pH) measurement• Urine potassium losses: (< 30 mEq/d total body deficit, > 30 mEq/d renal wasting)• Plasma renin activity, serum aldosterone measurement + • Correct underlying problem• Potassium repletion• Magnesium repletion if necessary• Correct alkalosis if present +++ Medications + • KCl PO if possible, if IV then 20-30 mEq/h by central vein or 10 mEg/h by peripheral vein• MgSO4 +++ Treatment Monitoring + • Serum potassium +++ Complications + • Hyperkalemia +++ Prognosis + • Excellent +++ Prevention + • Adequate dietary intake or IV supplements +++ References ++Schaefer TJ. Wolford RW. Disorders of potassium. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America 2005, 23(3):723-47, viii-ix. [PubMed: 15982543] GET ACCESS TO THIS RESOURCE Your MyAccess profile is currently affiliated with '[InstitutionA]' and is in the process of switching affiliations to '[InstitutionB]'. Please click ‘Continue’ to continue the affiliation switch, otherwise click ‘Cancel’ to cancel signing in. Sign In Username Error: Please enter User Name Password Error: Please enter Password Forgot Username? Forgot Password? Sign in via OpenAthens Sign in via Shibboleth Get Free Access Through Your Institution Contact your institution's library to ask if they subscribe to McGraw-Hill Medical Products. Access My Subscription GET ACCESS TO THIS RESOURCE Subscription Options Pay Per View Timed Access to all of AccessSurgery 24 Hour $34.95 (USD) Buy Now 48 Hour $54.95 (USD) Buy Now Best Value AccessSurgery Full Site: One-Year Individual Subscription $995 USD Buy Now View All Subscription Options