Hyperkalemia and the Heart

Question 1

Aside from measuring electrical activity in the heart, what else can an ECG be used for?

Answer 1

Can be used to detect rising plasma K+ levels

Question 2

How will rising plasma K+ levels affect the T-wave?

Answer 2

The T-wave will become tall, peaked, and symmetric (“tent”-shaped)

Question 3

How will rising plasma K+ levels affect the PR interval?

Answer 3

The interval becomes prolonged/wider.

Question 4

How will rising plasma K+ levels affect the P-wave?

Answer 4

Eventually disappears altogether

Question 5

How will rising plasma K+ levels affect the QRS complex?

Answer 5

Widens and eventually merges with the T-wave, forming a sine-wave pattern.

Question 6

What will happen at very high plasma K+ levels?

Answer 6

Ventricular fibrillation (can be fatal)

Question 7

How will decreasing plasma K+ levels affect the QT interval?

Answer 7

The QT interval will lengthen

Question 8

How will decreasing plasma K+ levels affect the T-wave?

Answer 8

The T-wave will flatten

Question 9

Decreasing plasma K+ levels will lead to the appearance of a?

Answer 9

U-wave

Question 10

What does the U-wave represent?

Answer 10

Delayed depolarization of the ventricles.