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3.11.3 - Potassium

from Section 3.11 - Metabolic Disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 July 2023

By
Clare Morkane
Edited by
Ned Gilbert-Kawai ,
Debashish Dutta  and
Carl Waldmann
Ned Gilbert-Kawai
Affiliation:
The Royal Liverpool Hospital
Debashish Dutta
Affiliation:
Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, Harlow
Carl Waldmann
Affiliation:
Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading
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Summary

Key Learning Points

  1. 1. Potassium is the principal intracellular cation and its concentration gradient greatly influences the resting potential of excitable membranes.

  2. 2. Potassium disorders are common in patients with low glomerular filtration rate and renal tubular disorders, and critically ill patients are at particular risk of alterations in serum potassium level.

  3. 3. Disorders of potassium balance predispose a patient to serious complications, in particular cardiac arrhythmias and muscle weakness.

  4. 4. Intravenous maintenance fluid alone should provide 1 mmol/(kg day) of potassium.

  5. 5. Concentrated potassium solutions given peripherally may cause pain, inflammation and venous thrombosis.

Keywords

hyperkalaemiahypokalaemiapotassiumelectrolytesmanagement
Type
Chapter
Information
Intensive Care Medicine
The Essential Guide
 , pp. 366 - 369
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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References

References and Further Reading

Clase, CM, Carrero, JJ, Ellison, DH, et al.; Conference Participants. Potassium homeostasis and management of dyskalemia in kidney diseases: conclusions from a Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Controversies Conference. Kidney Int 2020;97:42–61.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cook, S-C, Thomas, M, Nolan, J, Parr, M. Potassium. In: Cook, S-C, Thomas, M, Nolan, J, Parr, M (eds). Key Topics in Critical Care. London: JP Medical Publishers; 2014. pp. 273–5.Google Scholar
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. 2013. Intravenous fluid therapy in adults in hospital. Clinical guideline [CG174]. www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg174Google Scholar
Parikh, M, Webb, ST. Cations: potassium, calcium and magnesium. Contin Educ Anaesth Crit Care Pain 2012;12:195–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

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