Friday, March 12, 2010

Paucis Verbis card: Hyperkalemia management

Hyperkalemia is a common presentation in the Emergency Department, especially in the setting of acute renal failure. In one shift, I had 4 patients with hyperkalemia! All had from some form of renal failure.

This installment of the Paucis Verbis (In a Few Words) e-card series reviews the treatment options for hyperkalemia.


For easier readability, here's the table rotated (click to enlarge):


Feel free to download this card and print on a 4'' x 6'' index card.

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5 comments:

  1. Hi! Thanks for the post.
    was just wondering if u /readers have ever seen hypoglycaemia from the usual 10u IVP with 50mls 50%dex. some colleagues suggest 100mls. any views? (evidence?)

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  2. Hey Sa'ad: Funny you should ask this. I was talking about this with an intern the other day. I HAVE seen hypoglycemia with the 10 units insulin plus 50cc D50W. And so I do indeed push 2 amps (100 cc) - unless they're already hyperglycemic. Good point.

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  3. Oh and presumably it's because the patient has renal failure which causes the insulin to stick around longer (renally cleared).

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  4. Hi:each unit insulin covers 4-5 gm sugar in non diabetics. in 50 cc D50 we will have 25 gm sugar. therefore it will be covered by 5-6 units insulin.

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  5. Thanks! I have always wanted to know the numbers and science behind that.

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