Hypokalemia in Emergency Medicine Questions & Answers

Updated: Oct 10, 2022
  • Author: David Garth, MD; Chief Editor: Romesh Khardori, MD, PhD, FACP  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is hypokalemia?

What is the pathophysiology of hypokalemia?

What is the prevalence of hypokalemia in the US?

What is the global prevalence of hypokalemia?

What are the sexual predilections of hypokalemia?

What is the prognosis of hypokalemia?

What is included in patient education about hypokalemia?

Presentation

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of hypokalemia?

What are the signs and symptoms of hypokalemia?

Which physical findings are characteristic of hypokalemia?

What are the renal causes of hypokalemia?

What are the GI causes of hypokalemia?

Which medications may cause hypokalemia?

What causes transcellular shift in the etiology of hypokalemia?

What is the role of nutrition in the etiology of hypokalemia?

DDX

What are the differential diagnoses for Hypokalemia in Emergency Medicine?

Workup

What is the role of lab testing in the diagnosis of hypokalemia?

What is the role of imaging studies in the diagnosis of hypokalemia?

What is the role of ECG in the diagnosis of hypokalemia?

Treatment

What is included in prehospital care of hypokalemia?

How is hypokalemia treated in the emergency department (ED)?

Which specialist consultations are beneficial to patients with hypokalemia?

What is included in inpatient care of hypokalemia?

What are the possible complications of hypokalemia?

Medications

How is potassium administered in the treatment of hypokalemia?

Which medications in the drug class Electrolyte supplements are used in the treatment of Hypokalemia in Emergency Medicine?