Basic Metabolic Panel II

The normal plasma potassium is within the 3.5–5.5 meq/L. There are several causes for hypokalemia such as inadequate intake, gastrointestinal losses, diuretic therapy, excessive renal losses and alkalosis, etc. The characteristic electrocardiographic changes include PR interval prolongation with the development of U waves. Non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents have more relaxation effects than normal individuals. The treatment of mild and severe hypokalemia and the importance of monitoring these individuals perioperatively are discussed in this chapter.