OVERVIEW
This page is dedicated to providing more information about how to consider which clinical studies/tests should be ordered for hyperkalemia.
WHAT ARE THE COMMON STUDIES/TESTS THAT CAN BE ORDERED FOR THIS MEDICAL PROBLEM?
In thinking about working up any medical problem it is important to appreciate that there are a finite number studies/tests that can be ordered. For the case of hyperkalemia here are the major studies/tests to keep in mind:
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (EKG) EVALUATION
Hyperkalemia is actually responsible for causing a number of EKG abnormalities. As a result EKGs can be used to both diagnose and monitor hyperkalemia. Here are some examples of these findings:
Early EKG changes can include:
- Peaked T waves
- Widened QRS complex
- Depression of ST segment
Late EKG changes can include:
- Disappearance of T waves
- Heart block
- Sine wave (sinusoidal widened QRS complexes)
- Cardiac arrest
Page Updated: 02.26.2018