How to Treat Hypokalemia

Potassium is one of such elements in the blood whose concentration above or below the normal range can be fatal. The most dreaded outcome of high or low potassium levels in the blood is sudden death due to fatal cardiac arrest. Learn the treatment of Hypokalemia or low levels of Potassium in the blood.

Things You'll Need

• Knowledge
• Observation
• Labs
• Physician

Instructions

How to Treat Hypokalemia

1. Treatment for Hypokalemia must start promptly after the diagnosis is confirmed by a blood test. Mild cases may just need oral suppliments.

2. Severe cases may cause patients to be admitted into the hospital, where they will be given intravenous or oral potassium chloride preparation.

3. Increasing the intake of potassium-rich foods, such as oranges and bananas, is important to treat Hypokalemia.

4. Potassium levels must be monitored sequentially to determine continued requirements. Frequency of monitoring is dependent on the severity of Hypokalemia.

5. Physiologic effects of severe Hypokalemia, such as EKG abnormalities, muscle weakness or paralysis, must be monitored.

Tips & Warnings

• Rapid intravenous administration of potassium is potentially dangerous.