Enter the desired and current potassium levels along with the patient’s weight into the calculator to determine the potassium deficit.
Potassium Deficit Formula
The following formula is used to calculate the potassium deficit:
KD = (DK - CK) * W * 0.4
Variables:
- KD is the potassium deficit (mEq)
- DK is the desired potassium level (mEq/L)
- CK is the current potassium level (mEq/L)
- W is the patient’s weight (kg)
To calculate the potassium deficit, subtract the current potassium level from the desired level, multiply by the patient’s weight, and then multiply by 0.4.
What is Potassium Deficit?
Potassium deficit refers to the amount of potassium required to raise a patient’s serum potassium level to within normal limits. It is a critical calculation in the management of patients with hypokalemia, a condition characterized by low levels of potassium in the blood. The deficit must be corrected carefully to prevent complications associated with rapid changes in potassium levels.
How to Calculate Potassium Deficit?
The following steps outline how to calculate the Potassium Deficit.
- First, determine the desired potassium level (DK) in mEq/L.
- Next, determine the current potassium level (CK) in mEq/L.
- Next, determine the patient’s weight (W) in kilograms.
- Next, gather the formula from above = KD = (DK – CK) * W * 0.4.
- Finally, calculate the Potassium Deficit (KD) in mEq.
- After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.
Example Problem:
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.
desired potassium level (DK) = 4.5 mEq/L
current potassium level (CK) = 3.0 mEq/L
patient’s weight (W) = 70 kg
