Potassium is one of the body's major ions. The ratio of intracellular to extracellular potassium is important in determining the cellular membrane potential. Small changes in the extracellular potassium level can have profound effects on the function of the cardiovascular and the neuromuscular systems. The kidney determines potassium homeostasis since excess potassium is excreted in the urine.
Severe hypokalemia is relatively uncommon.
The history may be vague. Hypokalemia should be suspected based upon the constellation of complaints that involve the GI, the renal, the musculoskeletal, the cardiac, and the nervous systems. The patient's medications should be reviewed to ascertain if any of them could cause hypokalemia. Be attentive to the ABCs. If the patient is severely bradycardic or manifesting cardiac arrhythmias, appropriate pharmacological therapy or cardiac pacing should be considered.