POTASSIUM-HYPOKALEMIA MANIFESTATIONS & MANAGEMENT

SUMMARY

1. Severe hypokalemia may cause U waves, decreased deep tendon reflexes, and rhabdomyolysis.

2. Treat contributing factors such as volume depletion and/or metabolic alkalosis.

3. Replace potassium orally when possible.

4. Poor response generally implies a large deficit and merely requires more K⁺.

5. Comorbid magnesium deficiency causes renal potassium wasting, so always check and replenish Mg stores.

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].