Potassium

Question 1

Normal range

Answer 1

3.5 - 5.3 mmol/L

Question 2

Hyperkalaemia - symptoms

Answer 2

• Ventricular fibrillation
• Cardiac arrest

Question 3

Hyperkalaemia - drugs that cause it

Answer 3

HADBEANS
- Heparin
- ACEi/ARB
- Digoxin
- Beta blockers
- Eplerenone
- Amiloride
- NSAIDs
- Spironolactone

Question 4

Hyperkalaemia - management (mild to moderate with no ECG changes)

Answer 4

Calcium resonium

Question 5

Hyperkalaemia - management (acute, severe hyperkalaemia)

Answer 5

> 6.5 mmol/L
Slow IV calcium gluconate
Can also give:
- IV insulin
- Glucose
- Salbutamol

Add sodium bicarbonate to correct compounding acidosis.
- Do not give via same line
- Precipitation = thrombosis

Question 6

Hypokalaemia - symptoms

Answer 6

Muscle hypotonia
Arrhythmias

Question 7

Hypokalaemia - drugs that cause it

Answer 7

Dare Insult Bettys Tough Carpet
- Diuretics
- Insulin
- B2 agonist
- Therophylline
- Corticosteroids

Question 8

Hypokalaemia - management (mild)

Answer 8

Oral slow potassium chloride
- N + V may cause poor compliance
- Smaller doses in renal impairment
- If caused by diuretics = potassium sparing diuretic preferred.

Question 9

Hypokalaemia - management (severe)

Answer 9

IV potassium chloride
- Do not add glucose initially as it causes hypokalaemia
- KCl injection overdose is FATAL = use ready mixed solution or thoroughly mix concentrate