Converting a chosen potassium concentration target into per-bag and delivery-rate math.
Clinical Tools / Live calculator
Potassium supplementation calculator
Estimate potassium supplementation and delivery calculations for small-animal fluid planning. This tool shows mEq to add and the delivered mEq/hr at the entered fluid rate. It is arithmetic support only; verify the final plan against current protocol and reference.
Weight conversion, delivered mEq/hr, delivered mEq/kg/hr, and bag additive amount when bag size is entered.
Whether supplementation is indicated, which route is appropriate, or what monitoring intensity the patient needs.
Input
Enter the supplementation math
Use the intended fluid rate and desired potassium concentration in the bag. Add bag size when you want the per-bag amount shown directly.
Formula
Formula audit trail
Use these steps to verify how the displayed result was calculated.
1. Convert body weight to kg when weight is entered in lb.
2. Delivered mEq/hr = fluid rate (mL/hr) x desired concentration (mEq/L) / 1000.
3. Delivery by body weight = delivered mEq/hr / body weight in kg.
4. Potassium to add to a bag = bag volume (L) x desired concentration (mEq/L).
Rounding is for display only. This tool shows planning arithmetic only and does not choose whether supplementation is indicated or how it should be delivered.
Calculation steps will appear for verification.
Safety checks
Review before use
- Arithmetic support only.
- This tool does not recommend whether potassium supplementation is indicated.
- Review concentration, route, rate, and monitoring before using the displayed result.
Learn
Worked example and practice
Compact learning support for students, using the same arithmetic the live calculator performs.
Worked example
A 20 kg dog is on fluids at 80 mL/hr and the plan is 20 mEq/L potassium in the bag.
Delivered mEq/hr = 80 x 20 / 1000 = 1.6 mEq/hr
Delivered mEq/kg/hr = 1.6 / 20 = 0.08 mEq/kg/hr
If the bag is 1 L, the additive math is 20 mEq per bag, pending separate review of route, monitoring, and the actual fluid plan.
Try this case
Estimate the answer before revealing it: a 4 kg cat receives 30 mL/hr fluids at a target of 40 mEq/L potassium.
Reveal worked answer
Delivered mEq/hr = 30 x 40 / 1000 = 1.2 mEq/hr.
Delivered mEq/kg/hr = 1.2 / 4 = 0.3 mEq/kg/hr.
That bedside number still needs separate review of route, monitoring, and whether the concentration plan is appropriate.
Basis
Basis and limits
- Calculation basis: entered fluid rate and desired concentration are converted into mEq/hr, mEq/kg/hr, and optional per-bag additive math.
- Scope: this tool checks potassium arithmetic. It does not choose indication, route, additive product, or acceptable monitoring intensity.
- Before use: verify the final concentration, route, pump rate, product label, and patient-specific monitoring plan against current protocol.
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