Hyperkalaemia
Description
- K+ >5.5 mmol/L; severe >6.5, or any level with ECG changes
- 98% of body potassium is intracellular - the serum level is a poor guide to total body stores
- Two questions, always in this order:
- 1. Is it real? (pseudohyperkalaemia)
- 2. Is it a shift, or a failure of excretion?
Severity
| K+ | Action | |
|---|---|---|
| Mild | 5.5-5.9 | Address the cause; repeat |
| Moderate | 6.0-6.4 | Treat; ECG |
| Severe | >=6.5, or any level with ECG changes | Emergency - calcium first |
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