Electrolye Imbalance

Question 1

What are the symptoms of low potassium?

Answer 1

Weakness, leg camps, palpitations (arrthymias), and ascending paralysis.

Question 2

Changes on the ECG due to low potassium?

Answer 2

U waves, t waves flattened and ST segment changes (depression), prolonged PR interval

Question 3

What’s the treatment for severe hypokalemia?

Answer 3

<2.5 is severe

Need cardiac monitoring, and IV K+ replacement (dilute the K+ in 1litre saline, max infusion rate 20mmol/hr)