S5 L1 Regulation of Potassium

Question 1

Potassium:

• Normal range
• K+ is essential for…
• If K+ increases…
• If K+ decreases…

Answer 1

Question 2

ECG:

• Hypokalaemia
• Hyperkalaemia

Answer 2

Both (easy to remember):
Prolonged PR
ST depression

hyper - tall tented T waves, and string, pulled out
hypo - U waves

Question 3

What is the fluid compartments?
- Rough K+ extracellular and intracellular concentration

Answer 3

Question 4

Explain all the potassium reabsorptions and secretions in the nephron

• K+ in each part of the nephron
• What happens in alkalosis and acidosis

Answer 4

Question 5

What happens in the Alpha intercalated cells in the Collecting Duct?
- When are these cells mainly involved? (which ‘state’/condition, think about pH)

Answer 5

Alpha intercalated cell - involved in acidosis

Question 6

Acidosis: What happens in cells in the body (to help ‘buffer’)? What does this lead to?

Answer 6

These exchanges (ones on this page) happening in all the cells
across the body. It is a way of helping and buffering changes in pH

Question 7

What happens in the Beta intercalated cells in the Collecting Duct?
- When are these cells mainly involved? (which ‘state’/condition, think about pH)

Answer 7

Question 8

Acidosis links to increase or decrease in serum K+?
Alkalosis links to increase or decrease in serum K+?

Answer 8

Question 9

Alkalosis: What happens in cells in the body (to help ‘buffer’)? What does this lead to?

Answer 9

Question 10

Hyperkalaemia

• Clinical features (signs and symptoms)
• Causes of hyperkalaemia

Answer 10

Question 11

Hyperkalaemia:
- Treatment

Answer 11

Question 12

Hypokalaemia:

• Causes
• Clinical effects of hypokalaemia (Signs and symptoms)

Answer 12

Question 13

Hypokalaemia:
- Treatment

Answer 13

Treat the cause – Diuretics, diarrhoea, poor oral intake of
potassium
• Give potassium replacement
— Oral – bananas, oranges, sando-K
— IV – add KCl to IV bags
— Potassium sparing diuretics –