Potassium

Question 1

In which situations might you need to give oral potassium?

Answer 1

1. Taking digoxin - don’t want hypokalaemia
2. Secondary hyperaldosterosim
3. To replace GI losses e.g. chronic diarrhoea

Question 2

Treatment: Potassium over 6.5 mmol/L (severe hyperkalaemia)

Answer 2

1. Calcium Gluconate 10%
2. Insulin & glucose
3. Salbutamol (nebs/IV)

Question 3

Treatment: Potassium mild (5.5-5.9 mmol/L) & moderate (6.0-6.4 mmol/L)

Answer 3

Callcium polystyrene sulfonate resin (Calcium Resonium®) with regular Lactulose

Question 4

Treatment: Hypokalaemia (<3.0mmol/L)

Answer 4

Oral or IV supplementation with potassium chloride

Question 5

At least how many times its volume must potassium chloride be diluted and mixed well?

Answer 5

50 times

Question 6

For peripheral infusions, what concentration should potassium chloride not exceed?

Answer 6

40mmol/L

Question 7

Max rate

Answer 7

20mmol/hr