Hyperkalemia signs and treatment Hyperkalemia above 3 5

Hyperkalemia signs and treatment

Hyperkalemia above 3. 5 -5 meq/l n Conservative- Low K diet n What foods are high in K+ Above 6. 0 get serious Above 6. 5 get aggressive

Signs of Hyperkalemia • peaked T waves -- K level go around 6 meq/L. prolongation of PR interval --K level going around or above 7 meq/L. Absent P wave with widened QRS complex -- is a very dangerous sign. It means that atrial activity is lost and stage is set for ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation. It is usually seen at level around 8 -9 meq/L. • Ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation is the price you pay of • • ignoring above changes on monitor.

Chronic Renal Failure- Emergency Management of Hyperkalemia 1. Ca+ chloride or Ca+ gluconate (restoring normal gradient between threshold potential and resting membrane potential) 2. Kaexalate- resin orally or rectally takes hours 3. GIK -- intravenous injection of 10 -15 units of regular insulin along with 50 ml of 50% dextrose (lasts a few hours while doing more permanent measures) 4. Na+ HCO 3 therapy (e. g. 1 ampule (50 m. Eq) infused over 5 min) shiftings potassium into the cell.

Management of Hyperkalemia 5. Ventolin- (15 mg albuterol via nebulizer) n - Albuterol works to lower potassium concentrations by stimulating the release of insulin. This release of insulin shifts the potassium into the cells thus lowering the potassium level. n - Albuterol also stimulates the Na/k+ pump causing potassium to be shifted into the cells.