Hypokalaemia

• What level of potassium is defined as hypokalaemia?

  <3.5mmol/L
• What level of potassium is defined as severe hypokalaemia?

  <2.5mmol/L
• What should you do first when a patient has hypokalaemia?

  ECG
• What can hypokalaemia do to the myocardium?

  Destabilise it
• What ECG changes do you see in hypokalemia?

  PR prolongation

  Widespread ST depression

  T wave flattening

  Prominent U waves
• What does the management of hypokalaemia depend on?

  Serum potassium levels

  Presence of symptoms such as palpitations, muscle weakness and parasthesia

  ECG changes
• If potassium is >3mmol/L and the patient is asymptomatic, what treatment do you commence?

  Oral replacement, sando-k
• If potassium is <3mmol/L and there are ECG changes, what treatment do you commence?

  IV potassium replacement and cardiac monitoring.
• How long after potassium replacement should you recheck the potassium levels?

  4-6 hours