Authors: Lou Mitchell, Steve Fordham / Editor: Clifford J Mann / Reviewer: Joe Schrieber / Codes: CP3, ELC8, NepC3, NeuP8, PhP1, SLO1 / Published: 07/01/2020
A 60-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with a 1 week history of increasing lethargy, intermittent tingling in both arms and palpitations. He had a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and hypertension. Medication history was of regular aspirin, metoprolol, digoxin, iron supplementation and paracetamol as required.
Examination revealed stable ABC findings with GCS 15 and no focal neurological deficit. Blood Glucose was 6 and he was apyrexial.
While sending venous bloods the triage nurse did a venous gas showing a potassium of 6.6.
Module Content
Disorders of Potassium Balance
This session looks at disorders of potassium metabolism, in particular the presentation of hypokalaemia and hyperkalaemia in the ED. It also covers the investigation and management of these conditions.
Disorders of Potassium Balance
This module looks at disorders of potassium metabolism, in particular the presentation of hypokalaemia and hyperkalaemia in the ED. It also covers the investigation and management of these conditions.
ST Elevation without Infarction
Cardiac causes of ST segment elevation unrelated to acute myocardial infarction (MI) and the non-cardiac causes which might present similarly to MI.
6 Comments
Good focus on drugs that can cause hyperkalaemia.
Good revision of drugs causing hyperkalaemia
Good revision of hyperkalaemia and ECG changes.
Concise and focused revision.
informative
An important and common emergency presentation.