Hyperkalemia physical examination
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [2]
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
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
- ↑ 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.