HYPOKALEMIA

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
DEFINITIONS

• Hypokalemia is when blood’s potassium levels are too low. Potassium is an

important electrolyte for nerve and muscle cell functioning, especially for
muscle cells in the heart. Your kidneys control your body’s potassium levels,
allowing for excess potassium to leave the body through urine or sweat.

• Mild hypokalemia doesn’t cause symptoms. In some cases, low potassium

levels can lead to arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythms, as well as severe
muscle weakness. But these symptoms typically reverse after treatment.
Learn what it means to have hypokalemia and how to treat this condition.
CAUSES
• Inadequate intake: mal-absorption, malnutrition, etc. This cause leads to a decrease in potassium
level in the cells.
• Trans cellular shift btw cells: metabolic alkalosis, insulin therapy, etc.
The more other fluids are been introduced in the body beyond the limits of cell causes potassium to be
leave the cells for the other fluids to be accommodated inside the cell.
• Excessive losses: diarrhea, nausea, diuretics, hypo magnesium, hyper-aldosteronism, etc.

Manifestations
• Serum K level below 3.5mmOl
GIT Manifestations
• Anorexia, nausea, vomiting
MANIFESTATIONS OR S/SX
Manifestations
• Serum K level below 3.5Meq/l
GIT Manifestations
• Anorexia, nausea, vomiting

Neuromuscular Manifestations

• Muscle weakness and fatigue

• Muscle cramps and tenderness

• Paresthesia

Cardiac manifestations:

• Weak thread pulse

• Cardiac arrest

• Changes in ECG tracing.

PATHOPHY
Inadequate intake Trans cellular shift btw cells Excessive losses

k+ levels

GIT Manifestations

• Anorexia, nausea, vomiting

Neuromuscular Manifestations

• Muscle weakness and fatigue

• Muscle cramps and tenderness

• Paresthesia

Cardiac manifestations:

• Weak thready pulse

• Cardiac arrest

• Changes in ECG tracing.

Management

• take foods rich in potassium

• prepare medications following the right way the are prepared esp
the KCL.
• increase magnesium intake

foods rich in K: banana, vegetables, potatoes, nuts, milk, dried fruits,

etc.