Potassium Disorders

CPS 

• Potassium Disturbances chapter contains information on diagnosing and managing K+ disorders

1. A patient is presenting with K+ level of 6.7 mmol/L. What is the correct classification of this patient’s hyperkalemia? 

a) Mild 

b) Moderate 

c) Severe 

2. Which of the following is NOT a symptom of moderate hypokalemia? 

a) ECG abnormalities 

b) Constipation 

c) Ascending paralysis 

d) Fatigue 

3. A patient is presenting with prolonged vomiting and sweating. Their serum K+ is 2.6 mmol/L. Which of the following causes is resulting in this patient's hypokalemia?  

a) Decreased net intake of K+  

b) Increased non-renal losses 

c) K+ transcellular shift 

d) Renal K+ loss  

4. Which of the following drugs may cause hyperkalemia via K+ transcellular shift?  

a) K-sparing diuretics 

b) Penicillin G 

c) NSAIDs 

d) Beta blockers 

5. What would be an appropriate treatment regimen for a patient with serum K+ = 2.2 mmol/L?  

a) Potassium acetate 4 mmol/mL IV  

b) Calcium gluconate 10mL IV infusion over 15 min 

c) Potassium chloride 20 mmol PO tablet  

d) Insulin/50% glucose 50mL IV infusion over 5 min