Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Hyperkalemia physical examination
Introduction
Overview
Overview
In patients with hyperkalemia, physical examination may vary from normal to bradycardia (heart block), tachypnea due to respiratory muscle weakness and absent tendon reflexes. Evaluation of vital signs plays a key role in determining hemodynamic stability and identifying the presence of cardiac arrhythmias due to the hyperkalemia.
Physical Examination
Physical Examination
Evaluation of vital signs plays a key role in determining hemodynamic stability and identifying the presence of cardiac arrhythmias due to the hyperkalemia.[1][2]
Vitals
- Bradycardia (heart block)
- Tachypnea (respiratory muscle weakness)
Lungs
- Decrease chest expansion (respiratory muscle weakness)
- Normal breathe sounds
- Normal tactile fremitus
Cardiac
- Normal S1 S2
- Extra sysstole may be noted
Abdomen
- No abdominal tenderness or distention
- Normal bowel sounds
Neurologic
- Muscle weakness
- Flaccid paralysis
- Depressed or absent deep tendon reflexes
- Muscle tenderness associated with muscle weakness (rhabdomyolysis)
References
References
- ↑ Kogika MM, de Morais HA (2017). “A Quick Reference on Hyperkalemia”. Vet. Clin. North Am. Small Anim. Pract. 47 (2): 223–228. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2016.10.009. PMID 27939860.
- ↑ Boddy K, King PC, Hume R, Weyers E (1972). “The relation of total body potassium to height, weight, and age in normal adults”. J Clin Pathol. 25 (6): 512–7. PMC 477368. PMID 4625433.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [2]