In this episode we briefly review hyperkalemia and the principles of emergent treatment. Then we explore, in-depth, the role of insulin and dextrose including the incidence of hypoglycemia and pearls to reduce this side effect.
Pearls:
- 10-20% of patients treated with insulin/dextrose for hyperkalemia get hypoglycemic
- Consider giving 5 units insulin instead of 10 units
- Check the glucose for hours (dextrose lasts <1 hr, insulin lasts ≥2 hours)
- Beware of insulin in patients with renal insufficiency or with near normal starting glucose.
Thanks for listening!
Lauren
