💡 5 ELECTROLYTE EMERGENCIES YOU MUST NEVER MISS ⸻ 1️⃣ Hyperkalemia (↑ K⁺) ➊ Clinical Features • Muscle weakness • Palpitations • Life-threatening arrhythmias ➋ ECG Changes • Peaked T waves • PR prolongation • Wide QRS • Sine-wave pattern (pre-terminal) ➌ Emergency Treatment • IV Calcium Gluconate → Stabilize myocardium • Insulin + Dextrose → Shift K⁺ intracellularly • Salbutamol • Dialysis if severe 💎 Pearl: Calcium protects the heart but does NOT lower potassium. ⸻ 2️⃣ Hypokalemia (↓ K⁺) ➊ Causes • Vomiting • Diarrhea • Loop/Thiazide diuretics • Insulin excess ➋ ECG Changes • Flattened T waves • Prominent U waves ➌ Treatment • Oral or IV potassium replacement 💎 Pearl: Refractory hypokalemia? Always check magnesium. ⸻ 3️⃣ Severe Hyponatremia (↓ Na⁺) ➊ Clinical Features • Confusion • Seizures • Coma ➋ Causes • SIADH • Excess water intake • Heart failure • Cirrhosis ➌ Emergency Treatment • 3% Hypertonic Saline for severe symptoms ⚠️ Critical Pearl: Correct slowly to avoid Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome (ODS). ⸻ 4️⃣ Hypercalcemia Crisis (↑ Ca²⁺) ➊ Classic Presentation 🦴 Bones 🪨 Stones 🤢 Groans 🧠 Psychiatric overtones ➋ ECG Changes • Short QT interval ➌ Treatment • IV Normal Saline • Calcitonin • Bisphosphonates • Dialysis if severe 💎 Pearl: The two most common causes are: • Primary Hyperparathyroidism • Malignancy ⸻ 5️⃣ Hypocalcemia & Hypomagnesemia ➊ Clinical Features • Tetany • Seizures • Perioral numbness • Chvostek sign • Trousseau sign ➋ ECG Changes • Long QT interval • Torsades de Pointes (low Mg²⁺) ➌ Treatment • IV Calcium Gluconate • IV Magnesium Sulfate for torsades 💎 Pearl: Alcohol misuse + low K⁺ + low Ca²⁺ = Check magnesium immediately. ⸻ ⸻ 📚 Master electrolyte disorders, acid-base balance, renal physiology, and emergency medicine with our comprehensive Nephrology Book. 🌐 Visit: mediconotes.com #Nephrology #Electrolytes #Hyperkalemia #Hyponatremia #usmleprep