Risk factors, prevention and treatment of hypoglycaemia after hyperkalaemia in adult patients using intravenous insulin: An integrative review.

AIM: An integrative review was conducted to synthesize published evidence on the prevention and treatment of hypoglycaemia and patient risk factors, in adult patients treated for hyperkalaemia with intravenous insulin and dextrose. METHODS: This review followed the framework by Whittemore and Knafl. Papers included were limited to English language studies involving participants who were aged 18 years and above and admitted in the inpatient acute care and emergency departments. The literature search was performed using five electronic databases (CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, Proquest and Cochrane). RESULTS: A total of 22 studies were included. Two main themes were derived-patient risk factors and prevention-intervention strategies. Five main patient risk factors were lower pretreatment blood glucose (<7 mmol/L), lower weight, renal insufficiencies, older age and nondiabetic. The four subthemes in the prevention-intervention strategies included (i) methods of administration and dosing of intravenous insulin and dextrose, (ii) frequency of blood glucose monitoring, (iii) education to healthcare professionals and (iv) rescue agents. CONCLUSIONS: Standardized computerized order sets and integrated decision tool that can advise appropriate prescription of a higher volume of dextrose or lower insulin dose according to patient risk factors, regular monitoring and reinforced education may prevent and mitigate the risk of hypoglycaemia.