# Potassium Correction Rate & Limits

Calculate safe oral and IV potassium replacement parameters for hypokalemia. Oral 20–40 mEq/dose (120 mEq/day); IV peripheral ≤ 10 mEq/h (40 mEq/L); IV central ≤ 20 mEq/h (80 mEq/L); daily IV cap 240 mEq. IV KCl must be on an infusion pump — never IV push. Correct hypomagnesemia first. Derived from Gennari NEJM 1998, Cohn 2000, Kraft 2005, MDCalc, and Asmar 2023. Not medical advice.

> Canonical page: https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/potassium-correction-rate

- **Category:** Health

- **Keywords:** potassium correction, hypokalemia, potassium replacement, kcl infusion, potassium deficit, electrolytes, iv potassium, oral potassium, nephrology, cardiac monitoring

## Overview

The Potassium Correction Rate & Limits calculator estimates potassium replacement parameters for hypokalemia using the selected route, target serum potassium rise, current potassium level, and body weight. It reports route-specific dose, rate, concentration, estimated deficit, and daily limits. This tool is not medical advice.

## Inputs

- **Route** (select)
- **Target K⁺ Rise (mmol/L)** (number): Desired serum K⁺ increase (mmol/L). E.g. from 2.5 to 3.5 = rise of 1.0.
- **Current Potassium K⁺ (mmol/L)** (number): Measured serum potassium (mmol/L). Normal range 3.5–5.0.
- **Weight (kg)** (number): Patient body weight (kg), used for deficit estimation.
- **Decimal Places** (number)

## When to use

- Estimate an oral potassium dose and daily limit when oral replacement is appropriate.
- Check peripheral or central IV potassium rate, concentration, infusion volume, and daily cap.
- Compare the estimated potassium deficit with route-specific replacement limits before reviewing a treatment plan.

## How it works

- Select Oral, Peripheral IV, or Central IV as the replacement route.
- Enter the target potassium rise, current serum potassium, and patient weight.
- The calculator estimates the total potassium deficit from the target rise and body weight.
- It returns route-specific limits, including oral dose or IV rate, concentration, daily cap, and related parameters.

## Use cases

- Clinical review of oral potassium replacement for mild hypokalemia.
- Checking peripheral IV potassium infusion constraints, including rate, concentration, and volume.
- Estimating potassium deficit for a patient using the current potassium level, target rise, and body weight.

## Frequently asked questions

### What inputs does the calculator require?

You must enter the route, target potassium rise, current potassium level, and patient weight. Decimal places are optional.

### What are the peripheral IV limits?

The calculator uses a maximum peripheral IV rate of 10 mEq/h and concentration of 40 mEq/L, with a 240 mEq daily IV cap.

### What are the central IV limits?

The calculator uses a maximum central IV rate of 20 mEq/h and concentration of 80 mEq/L, with a 240 mEq daily IV cap.

### What oral potassium limits does it use?

It uses 20–40 mEq per oral dose and a maximum daily amount of 120 mEq.

### Can IV potassium be given by IV push?

No. IV KCl must be administered with an infusion pump and never by IV push. Clinical monitoring and local protocols are required.

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