5th April 2024

A frail 84-year-old pensioner is admitted to hospital with confusion, fever and hypoxia.

A frail 84-year-old pensioner is admitted to hospital with confusion, fever and hypoxia. Her past medical history includes hypertension, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease stage 3. Admission observations show respiratory rate 32 breaths per minute, heart rate 94 beats per minute, oxygen saturation 94% on 4L via nasal cannula, temperature 37.8 degrees Celsius and blood pressure 100/75 mmHg. Her blood tests show low phosphate at 0.3 mmol/L. She is treated for community acquired pneumonia with antibiotics and has intravenous phosphate replacement. Which electrolyte abnormality should she be monitored for with parenteral phosphate replacement? 

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.