Medical Problems: Hypokalemia

OVERVIEW

This page is designed to organize content that is relevant to the topic of hypokalemia. This term is used often in medicine, and it is important that we become as familiar as possible with it.

Hypokalemia is a medical condition that may require intervention (source)
WHAT EXACTLY IS IT?

Before going any farther, let us make sure we clearly define the “medical problem”. Hypokalemia refers to low levels of potassium within the serum (<3.5 mEq/L or < 2.5 mEq/L for severe hypokalemia).

WHY IS IT A PROBLEM?

 

ORGANIZING THE DIFFERENTIAL

The differential diagnosis for hypokalemia can be organized in a few different ways:

  • Can’t miss diagnosis
  • Organ systen
  • Disease category
  • Diagnostic modality
  • Most common diagnosis
CLINICAL “WORKUP”

Now that the possible causes of hypokalemia have been established, the focus can shift to how one would actually “work-up” a patient who presents with hypokalemia. 

  • Collecting the history
  • Performing the physical
  • Ordering studies/tests
  • Intrepreting clinical data
TREATMENT

The treatment of hypokalemia may vary depending on the etiology of the condition, and is elaborated upon more below:

 

Page Updated: 01.23.2017