K+

Electrolyte Navigator — Potassium

CDMtools · admission gate first, then work-up · not for direct patient use
Draft · verify locally

Hypokalaemia

K<3.5 mmol/L — ECG risk first, then cause work-up

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Hyperkalaemia

K>5.5 mmol/L — ECG risk first, then cause work-up

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Patient values

Normal range 3.5–5.0 mmol/L
Risk flags
Symptomatic: weakness, palpitations, arrhythmia
ECG changes present
On digoxin
Underlying heart disease or cirrhosis
Rapid onset / acute drop
Cause pointers
On diuretic (esp. thiazide/loop)
GI losses: diarrhoea, vomiting, laxative use
Coexisting hypertension

Pathway

Click any step on the pathway above for bedside and lab assessment cues.

Interpretation

Enter a potassium value to begin routing.

Patient values

Normal range 3.5–5.0 mmol/L
Risk flags
ECG changes present
Rapid rise >0.5 mmol/L in 6–12h
Fragile blood cells possible (CLL, high platelets/WCC) — consider pseudohyperkalaemia
Cause pointers
Renal impairment (acute or chronic)
On ACEi/ARB, K-sparing diuretic, or NSAID
High dietary potassium intake
Possible adrenal insufficiency
Tissue breakdown: rhabdomyolysis, tumour lysis, haemolysis

Pathway

Click any step on the pathway above for bedside and lab assessment cues.

Interpretation

Enter a potassium value to begin routing.

CDMtools — Electrolyte Navigator (pilot). Draft thresholds — verify locally against current guidance before clinical use. Click any underlined term for its definition and source.