Potassium Flashcards
-kalemia & -natremia suffix
K in plasma & Na in plasma
Normal range of K & Na in the blood
K: 3.5 - 4.5 mM
Na: 135 - 145 mM
Acidosis is followed by ___ to maintain electroneutrality & explain movement in ECF & ICF
hyperkalemia
i.e. H+ in ECF -> ICF
K+ in ICF -> ECF
=> Inc. K+ in blood
Alkalosis is followed by ___ to maintain electroneutrality & explain
hypoalkemia
i.e. H+ in ICF -> ECF
Dec. K+ movement out of ICF -> ECF
Role of insulin & What happens w/ high & low insulin
> Inc. cell uptake of Glu & K+
Low insulin => hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia, acidosis
High insulin => hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, alkalosis
Effects of hyperkalemia & hypokalemia on muscles
Hyper = Dec. excitability = 1) <3 arrest. 2) muscle weakness = cramps Hypo = Inc. excitability = 1) arrhythmia (irregular <3 beat). 2) muscle weakness = cramps
Characteristics of hyperkalemia
- Hyperglycemia (low insulin)
- acidosis
- Hyponatremia
- Addison’s syndrome (low aldosterone)
- Low GFR (Inc. K+ reabsorption & retention) [bc heart can undergo cardiac arrest = dec. blood flow]
Characteristics of hypokalemia
- Hypoglycemia (High insulin)
- Alkalosis
- Hypernatremia
- Conn syndrome (High aldosterone)
- renal tubular acidosis (Dec. K+ reabsorption)
hypokalemia can be caused by
- GI tract poor intake
- Excess GI loss (feces)
- Excess renal loss (diuretic) bc aldosterone & cortisol secretions
- Transmembrane redistribution
renal failure (low GFR) is characterised by*
- Low urine
- Loss of bicarbonate — Acidosis
- Loss Na+ — Hyponatremia — Hyperkalemia
syndrome of hypo- & hyper- aldosteronism
- hypo: Addison’s
- Hyper: Conn’s
What do you expect potassium concentration to be when blood has been stored at 4 0C for long time?
Pseudohyperalkalemia bc cells become leaky @ low temp (so best to store @ 37ºC)
