Significance of Serum Potassium Level Monitoring during the Course of Post‐Operative Rehabilitation in Patients with Hypokalemia

Abstract

Our objective was to evaluate the significance of pre-hospital and post-operative serum potassium level monitoring and hypokalemia intervention in laparotomy patients with hypokalemia. A total of 118 laparotomy patients with hypokalemia were randomly divided into an intervention group (N = 60) and a control group (N = 58). Blood samples were collected for measurement of potassium levels at various time points (pre-admission, admission, 24 h and 48 h post-operation) for both groups. Hypokalemia interventions were administered to patients in the intervention group in the pre-admission period and the post-operative period. Visceral dynamics were assessed after laparotomy in both groups. Average serum potassium levels at admission, time period of drinking, and time of first bowel sound after laparotomy differed significantly (p < 0.001) between the two groups. Average serum potassium levels, first time of defecation, urination, and ambulation at 24 h and 48 h post-operation differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the two groups. An optimal pathway of serum potassium monitoring not only saves limited ward space but also allows for early correction of hypokalemia in patients undergoing laparotomy.