HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Does Low Potassium Levels Post IV Injection Indicate?

An 83 yo female has acute pancreatitis with choleycystitis. She had a CT scan that showed some destruction to her pancreas 4 days ago and was admitted to the hospt. At present she has eaten nothing for almost 2 weeks, but is only receiving IV sol'n with Na and K. She has been allowed to have broth and jello but vomits it up. Initially she was to have a choleycystectomy after receiving antibiotics, but a Dr. told her last noc he thought she could go home for 4 to 6 weeks before surgery to let her pancreas heal! They have not considered TPN for nutrition. The Dr also gave her a K pill last night because her K was low, rather that give it IV. I am afraid she is not receiving the correct tx. What is the current tx for these problems? Thank you. Barbe
Wed, 31 Dec 2014
Report Abuse
Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
HI

Greetings from Dr.Divakara.P
Thanks for posting your query.

Well don't be worried . Her treatment is going on fine . The treatment for Pancreatitis initially is to keep the patient Nil by mouth , give IV fluids and pain management . Once the pancreas starts healing oral diet can be restarted . If she is tolerating oral diet now then there is no need to consider TPN. But if she is not tolerating it then medications to stop vomiting has to be given and if still no use then TPN should be considered.

Cholecystectomy has chances of infection if done during the time of pancreatitis so it's better to wait till pancreas heal . The only disadvantage of waiting is there is a possibility of repeat attack of Pancreatitis.

Treatment of low potassium with IV has to be done very cautiously as little overdose of potassium can cause Cardiac arrest. However with Potassium pills the risk of overdose is less and hence more safe . If patient is tolerating the K pills then no need for IV .

Hope this information is useful to you.
Any clarification feel free to ask.
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Does Low Potassium Levels Post IV Injection Indicate?

HI Greetings from Dr.Divakara.P Thanks for posting your query. Well don t be worried . Her treatment is going on fine . The treatment for Pancreatitis initially is to keep the patient Nil by mouth , give IV fluids and pain management . Once the pancreas starts healing oral diet can be restarted . If she is tolerating oral diet now then there is no need to consider TPN. But if she is not tolerating it then medications to stop vomiting has to be given and if still no use then TPN should be considered. Cholecystectomy has chances of infection if done during the time of pancreatitis so it s better to wait till pancreas heal . The only disadvantage of waiting is there is a possibility of repeat attack of Pancreatitis. Treatment of low potassium with IV has to be done very cautiously as little overdose of potassium can cause Cardiac arrest. However with Potassium pills the risk of overdose is less and hence more safe . If patient is tolerating the K pills then no need for IV . Hope this information is useful to you. Any clarification feel free to ask.