Hypokalemia ☺️ Flashcards
Main causes of hypokalemia
- alkalosis
- acidosis
Alkalosis
- vomiting
- thiazide, loop diuretics
- Cushings, Conns
Acidosis
- diarrhoea
- DKA, excess insulin
Reduced intake
-elderly
Mg deficiency
Conns syndrome presentation, investigations and management
Conns => hyperaldosteronism
Generalised weakness, easy fatiguability
Renin:ALD ratio
AVS
High BP
Low K
High HCO3 due to chronic H movement out of cells
High urine K
Adrenal adenoma => surgery
Bilateral hyperplasia => spironolactone
DKA presentation, investigations and management
-things to watch out for in management
Random blood glucose => high (above 3-5.5)
Urine ketones => high
Normal/high K
DKA => H into cells, K out
Fluid resus
Insulin => acts on NaK, hypokalemia
K admin
Management
Manage underlying cause
PO/IV K replacement
K sparing diuretics if fluid overloaded
ECG changes in hypokalemia
STUPR QT
ST depression
U waves
PR QT elongation
Presentation of hypokalemia
7Ls
- lethargy
- low shallow resp, failure
- lethal cardiac dysrrythmias
- lots of urine - decreased response to ADH
- leg cramps
- limp muscles
- low BP