Overview
What is the role of electrocardiography in the workup of hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
What are the symptoms of hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
Which lab studies are used in the diagnosis of hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
What prehospital care is indicated in suspected hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
What is the emergency department treatment for severe hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
What is the role of dialysis in the treatment of hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
Which drugs are used in the treatment of hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
When should hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level) be considered as a diagnosis?
What is the physiology of potassium?
How is hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level) defined?
What causes hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
Is hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level) more common in males or females?
What causes morbidity in hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level) and what is the mortality rate?
Which factors increase the risk for mortality in hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
Presentation
What is the role of patient history in the diagnosis of hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
When is hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level) usually identified?
Which symptoms are most common in hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
Which symptoms are consistent with hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
Which conditions increase the risk of hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
How are vital signs used in the evaluation of hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
Which cardiac findings suggest hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
Which neurologic findings suggest hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
Which physical findings may suggest hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
What causes pseudohyperkalemia?
What causes redistribution in hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
What are the endogenous causes of hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
What are the exogenous causes of hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
What causes diminished potassium excretion in hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
When should lab studies be repeated in the workup of hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
DDX
What are the differential diagnoses for Hyperkalemia in Emergency Medicine?
Workup
How are elevated serum potassium levels manifested in hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
Which lab studies are indicated in the workup of hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
What is the role of ECG in the workup of hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
Which ECG findings are characteristic of hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
Treatment
What is the prehospital treatment for hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
What is the initial management of hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
What is the emergency department treatment for hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
Medications
What is the goal of treatment of hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
Follow-up
What outpatient follow-up care is required for hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
What inpatient care is indicated for hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
When is transfer indicated for patients with hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
How can hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level) be prevented?
What are possible complications of hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
What is the prognosis of hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
What education should be provided to patients with hyperkalemia (high serum potassium level)?
-
Widened QRS complexes in hyperkalemia.
-
Widened QRS complexes in a patient whose serum potassium level was 7.8 mEq/L.
-
ECG of a patient with pretreatment potassium level of 7.8 mEq/L and widened QRS complexes after receiving 1 ampule of calcium chloride. Notice narrowing of QRS complexes and reduction of T waves.
