HYPOKALEMIA
Presented by: Renalyn B. Cataluña
WHAT IS HYPOKALEMIA?
• Hypo= low
• Kal= root word for potassium (Kalium)….. don’t get it confused
with cal= calcium
• Emia=blood
Hypokalemia means Low
Potassium in the Blood
Normal Potassium Level 3.5-5.1
(2.5 or less is very dangerous)
INTRODUCTION
• Hypokalemia is
characterized by
abnormally low levels
of potassium in the
blood, a vital
electrolyte essential
for various
physiological
functions.
Severity Classification
of Hypokalemia
Condition Mild Moderate Severe
Hypokalemia 3.0-3.5 2.5-2.9 <2.5
• Potassium plays a
crucial role in
maintaining cellular
membrane potential,
which is critical for
nerve conduction,
muscle contraction,
and proper heart
function.
Potassium helps
your blood pressure
in 2 ways:
1. Aid your kidneys
2. Helps your blood
vessels to relax
or loosen up
CAUSES OF HYPOKALEMIA
“Your Body is trying to DITCH potassium”
• Drugs (laxatives, diuretics, corticosteroids)
• Inadequate consumption of Potassium (NPO, anorexia)
• Too much water intake (dilutes the potassium)
• Cushing’s Syndrome (during this condition the adrenal glands
produce excessive amounts of cortisol (if cortisol levels are
excessive enough, they will start to affect the action of the
Na+/K+ pump which will have properties like aldosterone and
cause the body to retain sodium/water but waste
potassium)…hence hypokalemia
• Heavy Fluid Loss (NG suction, vomiting, diarrhea, wound
drainage, sweating)
Signs and Symptoms
“The 7 L’s”
• Lethargy (confusion)
• Low, shallow respirations (due to decreased ability to use
accessory muscles for breathing)
• Lethal cardiac dysrhythmias (a problem with the rhythm of
your heartbeat which can be tachycardia or bradycardia)
• Lots of urine (frequent urination…kidneys unable to make the
urine concentrated)
• Leg cramps
• Limp muscles (decrease deep tendon reflexes)
• Low BP & Heart
Treatment
Management of hypokalemia involves:
• Potassium Supplementation: Oral or intravenous
potassium to restore normal levels.
• Dietary Modification: Increasing intake of potassium-rich
foods.
• Addressing Underlying Causes: Treating conditions
contributing to potassium loss.
• Monitoring and Adjusting Medications: Reviewing
medications that affect potassium balance.
Remember
POTASSIUM to help
you remember the
foods
• Potatoes, pork
• Oranges
• Tomatoes
• Avocados, Bananas
• Strawberries,
• Spinach
• fIsh
• mUshrooms
• Melons: cantaloupe
In conclusion,
hypokalemia disrupts
cellular membrane
physiology, affecting nerve,
muscle, and cardiac
function. Prompt diagnosis
and appropriate
management are crucial to
prevent serious
complications and restore
normal physiological
balance.
REFERENCES:
Emergency Medicine Practice. (n.d.). Hyperkalemia and
hypokalemia. EB Medicine. Retrieved July 04, 2024, from
https://www.ebmedicine.net/topics/hepatic-renal-
genitourinary/hyperkalemia-hypokalemia
Kardalas, E., Paschou, S. A., Anagnostis, P., Muscogiuri, G.,
Siasos, G., & Vryonidou, A. (2018). Hypokalemia: a clinical
Presented
update. Nationalby: Renalyn
Library B. Cataluña
of Medicine, Volume 7(4),
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5881435/
