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Podcast # 336: Hypokalemia

Podcast # 336: Hypokalemia

Emergency Medical Minute · medicalminute

May 31, 20183m 42s

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Show Notes

Author: Dylan Luyten, MD

Educational Pearls:

  • Most important questions to answer with low potassium are 1. What are their symptoms? 2. Can they take potassium by mouth?
  • Oral repletion is faster, cheaper, and more effective than IV repletion.
  • Give IV potassium when patients have K
  • Most patients who are hypokalemic are hypomagnesemic and require magnesium supplementation. Checking a level is unnecessary.

References

Ashurst J, Sergent SR, Wagner BJ, Kim J. Evidence-based management of potassium disorders in the emergency department. Emerg Med Pract. 2016 Nov 22;18(Suppl Points & Pearls):S1-S2

Whang R, Flink EB, Dyckner T, et al. Magnesium depletion as a cause of refractory potassium repletion. Arch Intern Med 1985; 145:1686.