DB'S MEDICAL RANTS

Internal medicine, American health care, and especially medical education

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Hyperkalemia – why

A 53-year-old man, with a history of DM II, hypertension, depression and hepatitis C,  He is admitted for muscle cramps.  He has a recent history of epididymitis and is taking 2 antibiotics (he cannot remember the names.)  He also takes lisinopril 10 mg daily and fluoxetine 20 mg daily.

 

 

ABG
pH 7.31
pCO2 32
pO2 105

His EKG showed mildly peaked T waves. He was successfully treated with IV insulin and glucose, albuterol nebulizer and sodium bicarbonate.  He also took sodium polystyrene (Kayexalate). On discharge his lab tests:

 

 

Electrolyte panel
Na  138 Cl  109 BUN  19
K 4.3 HCO3  22 creat  1.3
Blood Sugar  184

 

Speculate on the cause and underlying physiology.  We do have a diagnosis.

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