Chapter 12 Resuscitation in special circumstances Flashcards
(136 cards)
In acidosis, does serum potassium increase or decreases?
Increase as H+ ions are shifted intracellularly in exchange for K+
At what level is hyperkalaemia considered severe?
> 6.5 mmol/L
What drugs can cause hyperkalaemia?
ACE-I Angiotensin II receptor antagonist Potassium sparing diuretics (spironolactone) NSAIDs Beta-blockers Trimethoprim
What endocrine condition can cause hyperkalaemia?
Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency)
In what conditions/diseases is potassium release from tissues of the body?
Rhabdomyolysis
Tumour lysis
Haemolysis
Burns
What are symptoms of hyperkalaemia?
Weakness
Flaccid paralysis
Paraesthesias
Depressed deep tendon reflexes
What ECG changes are seen in hyperkalaemia?
Tall, peaked T waves (T wave larger than R wave in more than one lead) Shortening of QT interval 1st degree heart block Bradycardia ST segment depression Flattened or absent p waves Widened QRS S and T wave merging (sine wave pattern) Ventricular tachycardia Cardiac arrest (PEA, VF/ VT, asystole)
When treating a patient for hyperkalaemia with an insulin infusion, how long after the infusion stops is the patient at risk of hypoglycaemia?
Usually 3 hours but can be up to 6 hours
What medication should you give along with resonium A to avoid complications of this medication?
Laxative
Does a K+ level of 5.5 to 5.9 mmol/L need treatment?
Usually not.
Address underlying cause of hyperkalaemia (drugs/diet) and avoid further rise.
If it does need to be treated, give:
Resonium A 15 -30g orally or a retention enema, onset < 4 hours.
Consider IV fluids
Does K+ level 6.0 to 6.4mmol/L need treatment?
Yes Shift intracellularly with: 10 units novorapid 25 g glucose (50ml 50% glucose) IV over 15 - 30 minutes Duration of action 4 - 6 hours Remove potassium from the body (resonium, dialysis)
What dose of nebulised salbutamol would you give for hyperkalaemia? How long will it last?
10 - 20 mg nebulised. Onset 15 minutes, duration 4 - 6 hours
What dose of insulin and glucose will you give for hyperkalaemia? How long does it last?
10 units novorapid, 50ml 50% glucose (25g) over 30 minutes
Onset 15 - 30 minutes, duration 4 -6 hours
If the patient is acidotic and has hyperkalaemia, what treatment could you consider?
50ml 8.4% sodium bicarbonate = 50mmol
How many mmol of calcium in 10ml of 10% calcium chloride and 10ml 10% calcium gluconate
Calcium chloride = 6.8mmol
Calcium gluconate = 2.2 mmol
What steps do you take when a patient arrest DURING haemodialysis?
1) Assign a nurse to dialysis machine
2) STOP ultrafiltation (fluid removal)
3) Give a fluid bolus
4) Return patients blood
5) Disconnect from dialysis machine (most machines recommend this before giving any shocks)
6) Leave dialysis access open and use for drug administration
7) Now treat as you would for all patients, however most likely cause is hyperkalaemia/VT/VF
At what level is hypokalaemia severe?
< 2.5mmol/L
What are the possible causes of hypokalaemia?
GIT: diarrhoea Drugs: diuretics, laxatives, steroids Renal losses: renal tubular disorders, diabetic insipidus, dialysis Endoncrine: cushings syndrome, hyperaldosteronsim Metabolic alkalosis Magnesium depletion Poor dietary intake Treatment of hyperkalaemia
What are the signs and symptoms of hypokalaemia?
Nerves and muscles affected: Fatigue Weakness Leg cramps Constipation If severe (< 2.5mmol/L): rhabdomyolysis, ascending paralysis, respiratory difficulties
What are the ECG features of hypokalaemia?
U waves T wave flattening ST segment changes Arrhythmias (including AF, especially if patient is on digoxin) Cardiac arrest (VF/pVT, PEA, asystole)
What is the maximum IV dose of K+ and the fastest rate you can give it for an unstable arrhythmia when cardiac arrest is imminent?
20 mmol over 10 minutes = 2 mmol/min
followed by 10mmol magnesium
What is the maximum recommended rate of K+ replacement IV ?
critically low K+ but stable
20 mmol/hour
What dose of K+ do you give for a cardiac arrest due to hypokalaemia?
5mmol bolus followed by 10mmol magnesium
What monitoring is needed when giving IV potassium?
Telemetry