A 24-Year-Old Woman Comes to the Physician Because of Fatigue

A 24-year-old woman comes to the physician because of fatigue, muscle weakness, and muscle cramps for the past 2 hours. She has a medical history of bronchial asthma for which she uses nebulizer at home and used multiple doses of albuterol. She does not smoke, drink alcohol, or use illicit drugs. She is 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) tall and weighs 65 kg (143 lb) ; BMI is 24 kg/m2. Physical examination shows dry skin and decreased deep tendon reflexes in the lower extremities. An ECG shows prominent U waves and premature atrial contractions.Which of the following mechanisms is the most likely cause of this patient's hypokalemia?

A) Decreased oral intake of potassium
B) Development of respiratory acidosis
C) Increased sweat loss of potassium
D) Increased urinary excretion of potassium
E) Intracellular shift of potassium