Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the most common cause of hypokalemia?
What is the most common cause of hypokalemia?
- Renal tubular acidosis
- Increased cellular uptake of K+
- Hypomagnesemia
- Therapy with thiazide-type diuretics (correct)
Which of the following is NOT a cause of gastrointestinal loss of K+?
Which of the following is NOT a cause of gastrointestinal loss of K+?
- Diarrhea
- Chemotherapy
- Gastric suction
- Increased dietary potassium intake (correct)
How does hyperaldosteronism lead to hypokalemia?
How does hyperaldosteronism lead to hypokalemia?
- By increasing cellular uptake of K+
- By promoting K+ retention
- By promoting Na+ excretion
- By promoting Na+ retention and K+ loss (correct)
What role does hypomagnesemia play in hypokalemia?
What role does hypomagnesemia play in hypokalemia?
In renal tubular acidosis (RTA), what happens to K+ excretion?
In renal tubular acidosis (RTA), what happens to K+ excretion?
Which of the following conditions can lead to renal loss of K+?
Which of the following conditions can lead to renal loss of K+?
How can reduced dietary intake of K+ impact previously induced hypokalemia?
How can reduced dietary intake of K+ impact previously induced hypokalemia?
Flashcards
Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia
A condition where the potassium levels in your blood are lower than normal.
GI loss of potassium
GI loss of potassium
Loss of potassium through vomiting, diarrhea, gastric suction, or intestinal fistulas.
Increased potassium loss in stool
Increased potassium loss in stool
Increased potassium loss in the stool due to conditions like tumors, malabsorption, cancer therapy, and laxative use.
Renal loss of potassium
Renal loss of potassium
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Hyperaldosteronism
Hyperaldosteronism
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Hypomagnesemia
Hypomagnesemia
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Reduced dietary potassium intake
Reduced dietary potassium intake
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Study Notes
Hypokalemia Overview
- Hypokalemia is a condition characterized by a potassium (K+) concentration in the blood plasma below the normal range.
- It can result from loss of K+ through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, kidneys, or increased cellular uptake.
Causes of Hypokalemia
- GI Loss: Vomiting, diarrhea, gastric suction, intestinal fistulas, certain tumors, malabsorption, cancer therapy, large laxative doses.
- Renal Loss: Kidney disorders (e.g., K+-losing nephritis, renal tubular acidosis- RTA). In RTA, decreased hydrogen ion (H+) excretion leads to increased potassium excretion. Hyperaldosteronism, which causes sodium (Na+) retention and potassium loss, contributes to hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis. Hypomagnesemia can trigger hypokalemia by causing increased urinary potassium loss. Also related to renal loss are acute myelogenous leukemia, acute myelomonocytic leukemia, and acute lymphocytic leukemia.
- Increased Cellular Uptake: This is less frequently mentioned as a direct cause of hypokalemia.
- Diuretics: Thiazide-type diuretics are a frequent cause of hypokalemia.
- Reduced Dietary Intake: While uncommon on its own, reduced potassium intake can exacerbate hypokalemia in people already taking diuretics.
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