A patient with viral gastroenteritis and prolonged diarrhea is at risk for deficiency of which electrolyte?

A patient with viral gastroenteritis and prolonged diarrhea is at risk for deficiency of which electrolyte?

• A. Sodium
• B. Magnesium
• C. Calcium
• D. Potassium

Answer: (D)

Potassium is the electrolyte most at risk with prolonged diarrhea from viral gastroenteritis because the gut losses include a large amount of potassium. When diarrhea is ongoing, potassium is drained from the body faster than it can be replaced, leading to a total body potassium depletion (hypokalemia). Dehydration from loss of fluids can trigger hormonal responses, such as increased aldosterone, which promotes renal potassium excretion and worsens the deficiency. Although shifts between body compartments can momentarily affect serum potassium levels, the overall effect of persistent GI losses is a potassium deficit. Clinically, this can cause weakness, muscle cramps, and potentially cardiac rhythm disturbances, so potassium replacement is a key part of rehydration management while monitoring kidney function and electrolytes. Sodium, calcium, and magnesium are also affected in gastroenteritis, but potassium loss from the stool is the most characteristic and clinically significant concern in prolonged diarrheal illness.

Potassium is the electrolyte most at risk with prolonged diarrhea from viral gastroenteritis because the gut losses include a large amount of potassium. When diarrhea is ongoing, potassium is drained from the body faster than it can be replaced, leading to a total body potassium depletion (hypokalemia). Dehydration from loss of fluids can trigger hormonal responses, such as increased aldosterone, which promotes renal potassium excretion and worsens the deficiency. Although shifts between body compartments can momentarily affect serum potassium levels, the overall effect of persistent GI losses is a potassium deficit. Clinically, this can cause weakness, muscle cramps, and potentially cardiac rhythm disturbances, so potassium replacement is a key part of rehydration management while monitoring kidney function and electrolytes.

Sodium, calcium, and magnesium are also affected in gastroenteritis, but potassium loss from the stool is the most characteristic and clinically significant concern in prolonged diarrheal illness.