Hypokalemia/ Hyperkalemia/ Hypocalcemia

Question 1

What indicates hypokalemia?

Answer 1

Potassium of <3.5 mEq/L

Question 2

What would an ECG look like on a patient with hypokalemia?

Answer 2

A depressed ST segment, T wave inversion, and a U wave

Question 3

What indicate hyperkalemia?

Answer 3

Postassium of >5 mEq/L

Question 4

What would an ECG look like on a patient with hyperkalemia?

Answer 4

Tall peaked T wave, prolonged PR interval, depressed ST segment

Question 5

What indicates hypocalcemia?

Answer 5

Calcium <9 mg/dL

Question 6

What are two manifestation unique to hypocalcemia?

Answer 6

Positive Trousseau and Chvostek sign

Question 7

What is a positive Trousseau sign?

Answer 7

Occlusion of arterial blood flow elecits carpal spasm

Question 8

What is a positive Chvostek sign?

Answer 8

Tapping patient’s facial nerve prompts brief facial spasm

Question 9

How is a Trousseau sign performed?

Answer 9

Blood pressure cuff left for 3 minutes causing the patient’s hand to point downward during a carpal spasm

Question 10

How is a Chvostek sign performed?

Answer 10

Tapping a patient’s facial nerve to cause a spasm