Pathophysiology: Electrolyte Disorders Flashcards
(144 cards)
Hypokalemia [K+] Frequency of occurrence
- ~3% of ambulatory patients
- ~20% of hospitalized patients
- ~40% of pts prescribed with thiazide diuretics
Hypokalemia [K+] increases mortality risk in patients with:
- Heart failure (HF)
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Decreased serum [K+] of?
- less than 3.5 mEq/L
- Severe: ~2-2.5 mEq/L
Causes of Hypokalemia
- Losses
- transcellular shift
- inadequate intake
- pseudohypokalemia
Hypokalemia evaluation Laboratory
- [K+] < 3.5 mEq/L –check magnesium
May also need to evaluate:
• Urine electrolytes
• Acid-Base status
History for Hypokalemia Evaluation: PMH, Medications
- past medical history: cardiac, renal, thyroid
- medications: insulin, beta-agonists
- volume loss
Hypokalemia evaluation of physical exam
- EKG: cardiac assessment
- weakness, paralysis: neurologic assessment
Hypokalemia symptoms
DA SIC WALT
- decreased intestinal motility: nausea, vomiting, ileus
- alkalosis
- shallow respirations
- irritability
- confusion, drowsiness
- weakness, fatigue
- Arrythmias
- Lethargy
- Thready pulse
Pseudohypokalemia
- delayed sampling process
- leukocytosis
Hypokalemia: Pathophysiology MOA: Inadequate Intake
- normal renal physiology continues to excrete K+ even with no K+ intake
- extreme decreased K+ intake coupled with hypomagnesemia results in significantly worse hypokalemia:
-> Anorexia nervosa
-> crash diets
-> alcoholism (delirium tremens)
-> intestinal malabsorption
Why does hypomagnesium exacerbate hypokalemia
- Magnesium inhibits K+ secretion in the distal nephron
- correct magnesium first, then potassium will correct
Hypokalemia: MOA Losses
- GI Losses: vomiting, diarrhea
Hypokalemia: Renal Losses
Mi TyPO
- osmotic diuresis
- polydipsia
- mineralocorticoid excess (see meds)
- Type I and Type II Renal Tubular acidosis
Medications that causes Hypokalemia
- Laxatives/Enemas (OTC)
- Diuretics: (loop, thiazide)
- Corticosteroids: (dexamethasone, fludrocortisone)
- Amphotericin B
- Cisplatin
- Penicillin antibiotics (high dose): (ticarcillin, carbenicillin, piperacillin)
Medications for Hypokalemia (meds that cause Hypokalemia)
BADFIT
B- Beta 2 antagonists
A- Amphotericin B
D- Digoxin
F- Furosemide, foscarnet
I- insulin
T- Thiazides
High dose penicillin examples
- penicillin, piperacillin, ticarcillin
Hypokalemia MOA: High dose penicillin
- increased Na+ delivery to distal tubule
- results in excretion of K+
Amphotericin B MOA:
- inhibits secretion of H+ in collecting duct causing Mag++ depletion
- Mag++ depletion causes K+ sweating
Hypokalemia: Aminoglycosides MOA:
- gentamicin, tobramycin, Cisplatin, Foscarnet
- deplete Mag++ resulting in K+ wasting
Fludrocortisone MOA
- significant retention of Na
- increase of Na+ leads to decrease of K+
Example of Loop Diuretics
- Furosemide (Lasix) -> “Water Pill”
Loop diuretic inhibits what? and where? and results in what?
- Na, K, Cl in the thick ascending limb
- resulting in significant Na+ concentration gradient
Loop diuretic delivers Na+ where? Results in what?
- Thick ascending limb
- reabsorption of Na and increased excretion of K+
Where else does Loop diuretics occur and what happens?
- in the collecting duct
- enhanced Na+ delivery results in K+ loss in the collecting duct