Measurement of the urinary potassium excretion rate in a timed specimen can be used to distinguish renal from nonrenal cause of hypokalemia.
Specimen: 24 hour urine
urinary potassium excretion rate per day =
= (volume of 24 hour urine, in liters) * (urinary potassium in mEq/L)
Interpretation:
• An excretion rate more than 20 mEq/24 hours implies potassium "wastage" (inadequate potassium conservation).
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Specialty: Nephrology, Clinical Laboratory
ICD-10: ,
