Hypokalemia ☺️ Flashcards

1
Q

Main causes of hypokalemia

  • alkalosis
  • acidosis
A

Alkalosis

  • vomiting
  • thiazide, loop diuretics
  • Cushings, Conns

Acidosis

  • diarrhoea
  • DKA, excess insulin

Reduced intake
-elderly

Mg deficiency

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Conns syndrome presentation, investigations and management

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

DKA presentation, investigations and management

-things to watch out for in management

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Management

A

Manage underlying cause
PO/IV K replacement

K sparing diuretics if fluid overloaded

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

ECG changes in hypokalemia

A

STUPR QT

ST depression
U waves
PR QT elongation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Presentation of hypokalemia

A

7Ls

  • lethargy
  • low shallow resp, failure
  • lethal cardiac dysrrythmias
  • lots of urine - decreased response to ADH
  • leg cramps
  • limp muscles
  • low BP
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly