potassium Flashcards
potassium
-Most abundant intracellular cation
-Intracellular:Extracellular ~ 38:1
-Plasma concentration: 3.5-5mmol/L
-Intracellular concentraion: 150mmol/L
-Total body potassium: 3500-4500mmol
-Total Extracellular K+: 30-70 mmol
-Na+K+ATPase pump sets up membrane potentials and is key to neuromuscular function
-Increased by: higher intracellular Na
-Decreased by: Digoxin toxicity, CHF, CRF
basics of lab medicine involved with hyperkalemia
-sources of specimens:
-venous blood
-arterial blood
-urine
-“The result is only as good as the specimen provided”
-Location of the draw
-Avoid drawing from a limb with an IV
-If necessary, stop IV for 30 mins and draw venous blood distal to IV site
-Decrease risk of hemolysis!!
-Use as large bore needle as possible- Limitations
-Recognizing a suboptimal blood draw
potassium: GI
-10% of K excretion
-Average Western diet 40-120mmol/day
-90% of K+ consumed is absorbed
-GI loss of potassium(10%) increased in:
-renal failure -> up to 50-60%
-diarrhea with large volume
-oral intake -> GI absorp -> extra-renal adaption -> renal loss = K balance
potassium: muscle
-muscles hold a large amount of K
-rhabdomyolysis -> huge release of K
-crush injury trauma -> release K
potassium: renal excretion
-90% of K is excreted via kidney (10% colon)
-Assuming a typical 100mmol intake and normal renal function:
-Filtered K+ = GFR x [K+serum] = 100 x 4 = 400mmol
-Passive reabsorption in the proximal convoluted tubule and Loop of Henle = 90%
-Active secretion in distal convoluted tubule and the cortical collecting duct by Principal cells
-Secretion/reabsorption is increased or decreased based on potassium concentrations and aldosterone!
potassium balance: renal
-aldosterone - increase K secretion
-hyperkalemia - increase K secretion
-distal urinary flow - enhance K excretion
-hypokalemia - reabsorption K increased
hyperkalemia causes
-sample error- asymptomatic pt -> redraw
-potassium shift
-decreased excretion
-excessive K intake
hyperkalemia: etiology K shift
-Rhabdomyolysis- crush injury
-Hemolysis
-Burns
-Strenuous exercise
-Sepsis
-Hypertonicity-K follows the flow
-Insulin deficiency
-Metabolic acidosis-Will be covered in acid-base lecture
-Pharmaceuticals:
-Digoxin
-Beta-antagonists
-Succinylcholine
-arginine
effects of exercise on K
-easy walking pace- +0.4 plasma elevation
-moderate exercise- +0.7
-strenuous exercise- + 2.0
-with beta blocker- + up to 4
-exercise effect will decrease with training
-dont memorize numbers
-beta blocker increases K by blocking it from going back into the cell
-cardiac rehab is needed for pts with prior MI and taking a beta blocker
hyperkalemia: decreased excretion
-Renal failure
-Interstitial nephritis
-Sickle cell disease
-Hypoaldosteronism
-Type IV RTA
-Diabetic nephropathy
-Heparin
-End stage AIDS
-Adrenal insufficency
-Pharmaceuticals
-ACE inhibitors
-Trimethoprim
-NSAIDs
-Spironolactone
-Triamterene
-pentamadine
hyperkalemia: etiology excessive intake
-ingestion
-iatrogenic*- most dangerous tool you will have may often be ur pen
-accidently overprescribe K
hyperkalemia symptoms
-None
-Weakness
-Palpitations
-Constipation
-Normal exam
-Pulse Irregular rhythm
-Decreased/absent bowel sounds
-Muscle weakness
hyperkalemia dx and labs
-Hyperkalemia is made by getting the result from the lab = >5mmol/L
-Associated labs/tests:
-BUN/Creatinine
-Serum glucose
-EKG!!!!!
-Urine: Potassium and creatinine
hyperkalemia EKG
-peaked T waves
hyperkalemia fraction
-Fractional excretion of potassium(FEK)
urine K/serum K ---------------------------- x 100% urine cre/serum cre
-FEK < 10% = renal cause
-FEK > 10% = extrarenal cause