It is commonly considered that there are associations between potassium and hydrogen ion metabolism. One such is an association between K states and alkalosis. It is often stated as a cause and effect relationship, i.e. that the low K states will produce an metabolic alkalosis. This hypothesis has been refuted a number of times. In any case, if an alkalosis and a low K state co-exist, both have to be corrected.
Potassium chloride is, therefore, usually the correct management together with sodium chloride.
Another common idea is that pH changes produce or are consistently associated with changes in serum potassium concentrations. A fall in pH is said to raise the potassium concentration and visa versa. Such alterations can be induced by for example some acids but not others. Changes which do occur differ in magnitude. Factors, which may alter potassium balances will often act at the same time as pH changes making it impossible to decide if the pH alteration or something else has altered serum potassium.