Decreased CO2 drives down H+ levels (CO2 + H2O <> HCO3 + H+), so both metabolic and respiratory alkalosis decrease H+ and can cause/be related w/ hypokalemia
Added #deck-AnKing Overhaul for Step 1 & 2-AnKingMed, rejected-suggestion and removed #deck-anking-overhaul-for-step-1–2-ankingmed, open-suggestion
Note details
Close panel
Anki id: 1475028568425
Acid-base disturbances may affect serum K+ levels via altering activity and directionality of the H±K+ exchanger
note: not all acid-base disturbances change K+ levels (e.g. respiratory acidosis/alkalosis)
from that anki card
Submitted an edit there if you want to weigh in. From everything I’m seeing and trying to reason it out, I’m not aware of any reason why potassium disturbances would be specific to metabolic acid-base disorders
I haven’t started renal questions on UWorld yet to see what they say, but I found something on uptodate and it looks like you’re right. I was basing my change on the other anki card saying that only metabolic acidosis/alkalosis will cause a change in serum K+ levels. I am going to submit an edit on that other card to correct it.
UpToDate:
There are important interactions between potassium and acid-base balance that involve both transcellular cation exchanges and alterations in kidney function [1]. These changes are most pronounced with metabolic acidosis but can also occur with metabolic alkalosis and, to a lesser degree, respiratory acid-base disorders.