143 results
Hyperkalemia Treatment Options
Stabilize cardiac membrane:
 • IV Calcium (peaks 5-10 minutes)
Decrease potassium concentration:
 • IV Fluids
Shift
minutes) Decrease potassium ... Fluids Shift potassium ... intracellularly: • Insulin ... Sodium bicarbonate Potassium ... #nephrology
Causes of Hypokalemia - Differential Diagnosis Algorithm
Increased Loss 
 - Increased GI Loss
 - Increased Urinary
Causes of Hypokalemia ... K+ into cells: Insulin ... Diagnosis #Algorithm #causes ... #potassium #low
Causes of Hyperkalemia - Differential Diagnosis Algorithm
 • Increased Intake
 • Reduced Excretion (IV potassium with
Causes of Hyperkalemia ... Excretion (IV potassium ... #Hyperkalemia #Nephrology ... Diagnosis #Algorithm #Causes
Hypokalemia - Differential Diagnosis
Poor Intake 
 - Starvation
 - Anorexia
GI Losses 
 - Vomiting / NG
Redistribution - Insulin ... Diagnosis #Low #Potassium ... Classification #Causes
Causes of Hypokalemia - Differential Diagnosis Algorithm
Defining the cause of hypokalemia starts by measuring urinary K
Causes of Hypokalemia ... Defining the cause ... diagnosis #algorithm #causes ... #nephrology #potassium
Hyperkalemia - Differential Diagnosis Framework

PseudoHyperkalemia:
 • Lab error
 • Traumatic venipuncture
 • Hemolysis, thrombocytosis, leukocytosis
 •
• Recent IV potassium ... paralysis - Insulin ... differential #diagnosis #causes ... #potassium #high ... #nephrology
Hypophosphatemia - Differential Diagnosis Algorithm
 • Decreased intake/absorption: Starvation, Alcoholism, Malabsorption, Phosphate binder use
 • Redistribution/
Respiratory alkalosis, Insulin ... Diagnosis #Algorithm #causes ... #nephrology #phosphate
Hypokalemia Differential Algorithm
Acidosis
 - RTA
 - Diarrhea
pH Normal 
 1. Decreased Mg 
 2. Intracellular Shift
Intracellular Shift • Insulin ... Algorithm #Diagnosis #Causes ... #Workup #Nephrology
Hypokalemia - Differential Diagnosis Algorithm
Extra-renal Losses:
 • Normal Acid-Base: Low intake
 • Metabolic acidosis: Gl tract
Diagnosis #Algorithm #causes ... #potassium #low ... #nephrology
Hypokalemia Evaluation Algorithm

Before evaluating hypokalemia, life threatening complications such as arrhythmias and paralysis should be looked
treated with IV potassium ... wasting from other causes ... suggests extra-renal causes ... #differential #potassium ... #nephrology #low