Exam Cram

• Hyperkalaemia, K+ > 6.5 is a medical emergency due to the risk of asystole

• K+ > 6.5 requires

  • Calcium gluconate to stabilise cardiac membrane

  • IV insulin dextrose +/- salbutamol to cause an intracellar shift

  • Telemetry/ ECG

Values

K+ 3.5-5.5 Normal Range

K+ 5.5-6.0

K+ 6.0-6.5

K+ 6.5 Medical Emergency

K+ 8.0: concentrations used to induce asystole using cardiac bypass surgery

• Calcium gluconate 10mls 10% (or calcium chloride)

• Insulin dextrose infusion

• Salbutamol nebuliser

• Hemodialysis

Calcium Gluconate

Stabilises the calcium stabilises the myocardium preventing the cardiac rhythm

Insulin dextrose infusion

Moves the potassium

Surgery

Require K+ to be below 5.5

Resources and References

Written in 2025