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Hyperkalaemia

Prevalence
Causes
Clinical features
Investigations
Therapy
Prognosis
Therapy

K > 6.5 mmol/L d   

Give 20 ml of 50% glucose iv and short-acting insulin 10 units iv as an iv bolus c

Why?

  • It lowers potassium by 0.5 mmol/L within 15 minutes in haemodialysis patients with hyperkalaemia c
  • Onset of action is at 15 mins, rather than 30 minutes for salbutamol c

Expiry date: September 2005
Levels of Evidence used in grading these guides

Authors   W   Lee , CM   Ball
Reviewer   C   Clase
CAT Writers   W   Lee , CM   Ball