Hypokalemia is not uncommon in patients requiring acute dialysis, eg., in patients with nonoliguric acute renal failure. Hypokalemia can occur in oliguric patients with cronic renal failure if food intake is poor. Hypokalemia is also a complication of total parenteral nutrition. Hypokalemia in dialysis patients is extremely hazardous; it predisposes to cardiac arrhythmia and sudden death.