Question

A 55-year-old man with Type 1 Diabetes presents with nausea and abdominal pain. Capillary blood glucose is 25 mmol/L and blood ketones are 5.0 mmol/L. Arterial pH is 7.25. He is started on IV fluids and a Fixed Rate Intravenous Insulin Infusion (FRIII). His initial potassium is 3.8 mmol/L. What is the appropriate management of his potassium?

Accepted Answer

Add 40 mmol potassium chloride to the IV fluids

Answer

No potassium replacement required as level is normal

Answer

Add 20 mmol potassium chloride to the IV fluids

Answer

Administer IV potassium bolus before starting insulin

Answer

Monitor potassium hourly and only replace if <3.5 mmol/L

Practice question