Potassium is a major intracellular cation critical for many body functions, including
maintenance of acid-base balance, osmotic stability of cells, growth, energy production,
glucose metabolism, conduction of nerve impulses, and the function of
skeletal and smooth muscle.1,2 Patients with acute or chronic critical illness are
particularly susceptible to potassium loss.2 Conditions that promote potassium
loss in critically ill patients include the response to stress,2 treatment with mechanical ventilation,
3 hypertension, diarrhea, alcohol withdrawal,4 and gastric draining or gavage