Potassium Infusion Limit Calculator

Work out potassium infusion limit instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Potassium Infusion Limit Calculator

Applies the concentration and rate ceilings for potassium infusion to give the minimum volume and time in which a replacement dose can safely be delivered.

Formula

Potassium limits

Minimum volume (mL) = total mmol / concentration limit (mmol/L) x 1000; minimum time (h) = total mmol / rate limit (mmol/h)

Worked example

With the default values below, Potassium Infusion Limit Calculator returns Minimum diluent volume of 1,000. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Potassium to replaceaccepts 1–400 mmol: 40 mmol
Maximum concentrationaccepts 10–200 mmol/L: 40 mmol/L
Maximum rateaccepts 2–40 mmol/h: 10 mmol/h

Results

Minimum diluent volume: 1,000 mL
Minimum infusion time: 4.00 h
Implied fluid rate: 250.0 mL/h
Access note: Suitable for peripheral administration in most protocols

Step by step

1Values used
2Potassium limits
3Minimum diluent volume= 1,000 mL
4Minimum infusion time= 4.00 h
5Implied fluid rate= 250.0 mL/h
6Access note= Suitable for peripheral administration in most protocols

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Educational estimate only. Not a substitute for professional clinical judgement, and must not be used to make treatment or dosing decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the usual peripheral limits?

40 mmol/L concentration and 10 mmol/h, though local policy varies.

When can faster rates be used?

In life-threatening hypokalaemia with arrhythmia, via central access with continuous ECG monitoring.