What is the effect of insulin on potassium levels during DKA treatment?

What is the effect of insulin on potassium levels during DKA treatment?

• A. It raises potassium in the blood
• B. It pushes potassium back into cells, potentially causing hypokalemia
• C. It has no effect on potassium
• D. It converts potassium to bicarbonate

Answer: (B)

Insulin drives potassium into cells. When insulin is given during DKA treatment, it stimulates the Na+/K+-ATPase pump, pulling potassium from the extracellular space into cells as glucose is utilized and acidosis improves. This shift can rapidly lower the serum potassium, uncovering a total-body potassium deficit even if initial levels seemed normal or high. Clinically, potassium levels must be monitored closely and potassium is often supplemented to prevent or treat hypokalemia. Other ideas, like insulin raising potassium or converting potassium to bicarbonate, aren’t accurate.

Insulin drives potassium into cells. When insulin is given during DKA treatment, it stimulates the Na+/K+-ATPase pump, pulling potassium from the extracellular space into cells as glucose is utilized and acidosis improves. This shift can rapidly lower the serum potassium, uncovering a total-body potassium deficit even if initial levels seemed normal or high. Clinically, potassium levels must be monitored closely and potassium is often supplemented to prevent or treat hypokalemia. Other ideas, like insulin raising potassium or converting potassium to bicarbonate, aren’t accurate.