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Hypokalemia Microchapters |
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There are appropriate measures as secondary prevention of hypokalemia in patients, who are susceptible more or have ongoing potassium losses, including:[1]
- Prescription of potassium chloride 20 mg BID: Patients with congestive heart failure and edematous conditions such as cirrhosis have to take it regularly
- Administration of Proton Pomp Inhibitors and H2 blocker drugs. It can inhibit bicarbonate formation in the stomach and its absorption, as well as limiting potassium loss.
- Prescription of potassium-sparing medications, such as Amiloride 1.25-2.5 mg BID
Prevention of hypokalemia in patients using diuretics
Administering K-sparing diuretics is the most suitable preventive option. However, hyperkalemia should be considered in patients with diabetes and older cases.[2]
Prevention of hypokalemia in critically-ill cases
Prescribing potassium preventively (72-144 mmol/L daily) for ill patients with normal K and Cr when they are admitted would decrease harmful hypokalemia episodes, and severe nursing cares.
Prevention of hypokalemia in patients undergoing abdominal surgery
One of the most frequent drawbacks of extreme abdominal operations is hypokalemia. For inhibiting drug-induced hypokalemia, medications' complications must be considered. Moreover, blood sampling for screening the potassium (once on admission and four times after that) and administrating potassium supplements resulted in better detection, treatment, and fast track recovery of cases who underwent abdominal operations.