Potassium: Difference between revisions
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==Background== | |||
*Primary intracellular cation; critical for cardiac and neuromuscular function | |||
*Only ~2% of total body potassium is extracellular; small changes in serum levels can be clinically significant | |||
==Normal Values== | |||
*Normal: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L | |||
*Hypokalemia: <3.5 mEq/L | |||
*Hyperkalemia: >5.0 mEq/L | |||
==Interpretation== | |||
*Hemolyzed specimens are the most common cause of a falsely elevated potassium | |||
*Hypokalemia is often caused by GI losses, diuretics, or inadequate intake | |||
**ECG changes: U waves, flattened T waves, ST depression | |||
**Replace both potassium and magnesium (hypomagnesemia impairs K repletion) | |||
*Hyperkalemia is a life-threatening emergency when >6.5 mEq/L or with ECG changes | |||
**ECG progression: peaked T waves, widened QRS, sine wave, asystole | |||
**Treat with calcium (membrane stabilization), insulin + glucose (intracellular shift), and elimination (kayexalate, dialysis)<ref>Palmer BF. Managing hyperkalemia caused by inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. N Engl J Med. 2004; 351(6):585-592. PMID 15295051.</ref> | |||
==See Also== | |||
*[[Hypokalemia]] | |||
*[[Hyperkalemia]] | |||
*[[BMP]] | |||
*[[ECG]] | |||
==References== | |||
<references/> | |||
[[Category:Labs]] | |||
Latest revision as of 06:58, 22 March 2026
Background
- Primary intracellular cation; critical for cardiac and neuromuscular function
- Only ~2% of total body potassium is extracellular; small changes in serum levels can be clinically significant
Normal Values
- Normal: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
- Hypokalemia: <3.5 mEq/L
- Hyperkalemia: >5.0 mEq/L
Interpretation
- Hemolyzed specimens are the most common cause of a falsely elevated potassium
- Hypokalemia is often caused by GI losses, diuretics, or inadequate intake
- ECG changes: U waves, flattened T waves, ST depression
- Replace both potassium and magnesium (hypomagnesemia impairs K repletion)
- Hyperkalemia is a life-threatening emergency when >6.5 mEq/L or with ECG changes
- ECG progression: peaked T waves, widened QRS, sine wave, asystole
- Treat with calcium (membrane stabilization), insulin + glucose (intracellular shift), and elimination (kayexalate, dialysis)[1]
See Also
References
- ↑ Palmer BF. Managing hyperkalemia caused by inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. N Engl J Med. 2004; 351(6):585-592. PMID 15295051.