Hyperkalemia

Question 1

What is hyperkalemia?

Answer 1

Increased potassium in the blood > 5mmol/l

Question 2

Etiology.

Answer 2

1. Renal failure
2. Addison’s disease
3. Ace inhibitors
4. Beta blockers, digitalis
5. Insulin deficiency
6. Acidosis
7. Dehydration
8. Blood transfusion
9. Rabdomyolisis

Question 3

Symptoms of hyperkalemia

Answer 3

Arrythmias
Muscle weakness
Nausea
Vomitting
Respiratory failure

Question 4

Diagnosis

Answer 4

CBC + electrolytes

Ecg

Question 5

Treatment.

Answer 5

• Iv calcium glyconate ( 10ml 10% 10’)
• Shift potassium into the intracellular compartment by giving glucose + insulin or sodium bicarbonate
• reduce potassium from body by giving kayxalate, hemodialysis, furosemide (20-80mg twice in day)