The electrocardiogram can pick up all sorts of electrolyte abnormalities. The most common abnormalities revolve around high and low levels of potassium and calcium. Magnesium derangements typically have nonspecific findings. How do you keep things straight? To make things more complicated, multiple electrolyte derangements can occur at the same time, making ECG interpretation challenging.
I have yet to find a better arterial blood gas interpretation review article than the 1991 Western Journal of Medicine summary by Dr. Rick Haber.
This installment of the Paucis Verbis (In a Few Words) e-card series reviews ABG Interpretation. The recent addition of an ABG machine in our ED has made a tremendous difference in our ability to care for undifferentiated patients. This is a refresher in making heads and tails of mixed acid-base disorders.
Adapted from [1]
Go to ALiEM (PV) Cards for more resources.
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.
Adapted from [1]
Go to ALiEM (PV) Cards for more resources.