• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • BCPS
  • Medicine and Media
  • Pharmacogenomics
  • Podcast
Digital PharmD

Digital PharmD

Informatics in Pharmacy

Disorders of Potassium

August 12, 2018 By Dr. G, PharmD

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Potassium normal: 3.5-5.5

Hypokalemia:

  • Mild: 3.0-3.5, moderate: 2.5-3.0, severe=<2.5
  • Common causes: thiazide and loop diuretics, kidney injury, GI loss, sweating, burns, Beta blockers, insulin, sodium bicarbonate
  • Every 0.3 mEq decrease is a 100 mEq deficit
  • Symptoms start at < 3.0
  • Correct Mg too. It’s used in potassium transport.
  • Seen in EKG as U waves.

Hyperkalemia:

  • Arrhythmias when >6.5, peaked T-waves: 5.5-6.5, wide QRS: 6.5-7.5
  • Drugs that can cause: ACEI, ARB, Beta blockers, digoxin, triamterene, spironolactone, NSAIDs, renin inhibitors, succinylcholine.
  • Treatment:
    • If no EKG changes: insulin and D50.
    • EKG Changes: CaCl or CaGluconate and Insulin and D50 +/- albuterol (increases tachycardia). Calcium stabilizes the cardiac membrane. You don’t need it if not symptoms.
    • Bicarb is useful if acidotic.
    • Kayexeltae isn’t good for acute hyperkalemia, it only decreases K+ by 0.4-1 over 24 hours.
    • In digoxin toxicity, DO NOT GIVE CALCIUM (“stone heart” – but may not really be a risk, don’t give anyway).  Give digibind, and can give dextrose and insulin.

Filed Under: Fluid, Electrolytes, & Nutrition

Primary Sidebar

Newsletter

More to See

COVID-19 mRNA EUA Vaccine FAQs

December 29, 2020 By Dr. G, PharmD

What Makes a Good Vaccine? (Part 1)

October 20, 2020 By Dr. G, PharmD

Tags

acid base acidosis acute coronary syndrome alkalosis analgesics anaphylaxis aortic dissection arrhythmia bcps Beta-Blockers biostatistics blood pressure cardiac markers CHA2DS2-VasC cocaine COVID-19 diabetes diabetes inspidius heart failure Heparin hypersensitivity hypertension hypovolemic shock intubation ionotropes journal club lipids LMWH medication safety morphine conversions myocardial infarction needs work NOAC NSTEMI obstructive shock pharmacoeconomics pheochromocytoma pressors reference materials right mi sedation septic shock shock STEMI Updated 2020

Footer

Medical Disclaimer

The medical information on this website is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied. GoPharmD makes no representations or warranties in relation to the medical information on this website.

GoPharmD does not warrant that:

  • the medical information on this website will be constantly available, or available at all; or
  • the medical information on this website is complete, true, accurate, up-to-date, or non-misleading.
  • You must not rely on the information on this website as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.
  • If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.

Recent

  • Johnson and Johnson Coronavirus EUA Vaccine FAQ
  • COVID-19 mRNA EUA Vaccine FAQs
  • What Makes a Good Vaccine? (Part 1)
  • COPD and Bronchitis
  • Asthma

Search

Tags

acid base acidosis acute coronary syndrome alkalosis analgesics anaphylaxis aortic dissection arrhythmia bcps Beta-Blockers biostatistics blood pressure cardiac markers CHA2DS2-VasC cocaine COVID-19 diabetes diabetes inspidius heart failure Heparin hypersensitivity hypertension hypovolemic shock intubation ionotropes journal club lipids LMWH medication safety morphine conversions myocardial infarction needs work NOAC NSTEMI obstructive shock pharmacoeconomics pheochromocytoma pressors reference materials right mi sedation septic shock shock STEMI Updated 2020