Preview

Abnormality In The Ekg Essay

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
546 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Abnormality In The Ekg Essay
What is the most significant abnormality shown in the serum chemistry?
-The most significant abnormality is a rise in the Potassium levels. The reason this is the most significant is because of the narrow physiologic range.

What abnormality is shown in the EKG?
-There are “peaked” or “tented” T waves. The T wave represents the repolarization of the ventricles which is normally demonstrates soft gradual rise following the QRS complex, however in this case the t wave is not properly formed.

Are they related?
-Yes, they are related. This is because hyperkalemia is often the cause of the peaked T waves. Normally hyperkalemia is diagnosed by a chemistry panel, but electrolyte abnormalities can be identified on an EKG. In addition to the
…show more content…
This is a syndrome that occurs after trauma to skeletal muscle, causing the leaking of intracellular contents into the surrounding plasma. If there is enough soft tissue damage it is possible for there to be an increase in potassium levels outside of the cell, which is a concern because the body prefers potassium being intracellular. In our patient, this is likely the reason he is hyperkalemic. It is important to remember enough tissue damage can cause this because the normal physiologic potassium ranges are very narrow.

What may happen to the EKG if the problem continues to worsen?
-There is a typical progression on an ECG if hyperkalemia gets worse and is not reversed. This usually begin with the peaking of the T waves, followed by the peaking of the P wave which then begins to flatten. More moderate hyperkalemia changes then precede including a prolonged PR interval. It is then likely the ECG will show the widening of the QRS complex and axis shifting. If the hyperkalemia continues to worsen, it is likely to be the development of a sine wave, which is often followed by ventricular fibrillation or asystole if

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Case Study 3

    • 322 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The primary cause of the patient’s respiratory distress comes from hypoxemia. The hypoxemia is caused by heart failure possibly from emboli and obstructions in the circulatory system, which is causing the patient to breathe harder and faster to compensate. The mild respiratory alkalosis/hypoventilation is from the hypoxemia. The emboli is causing VA/Q mismatch.…

    • 322 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Nt1310 Module 1

    • 541 Words
    • 3 Pages

    3. The dub sound is caused by the closing of the semi lunar valves due to the relaxation of the ventricles and the drop in pressure. The blood pressure in the ventricles drops below that of the arteries causing the closing of the ventricles. Hence the T wave represents the repolarization of the ventricles. Since they are being repolarized, they are no longer able to…

    • 541 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    J.M also presents with an elevated blood pressure as well as Heart rate. The history indicated that HTN has been part of J.M’s past, CAD and HF are also noted, which contribute to the elevated BP. The decrease in Hematocrit and Hemoglobin will also contribute to the BP because the heart has to work harder to pump the blood to the body, and the blood is not carrying enough oxygen to deliver throughout the body. The respirations are a compensation of the elevated BP.…

    • 1272 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    It is an Increase in cellular components of the glomerulus, along with edema, oliguria, proteinuria and hematuria…

    • 988 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The pH balance was not always within the normal range it became higher, therefore it was considered to be in a state of respiratory alkalosis.…

    • 1503 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Symptoms: headache, hypotension and flushing (from vasodilation), muscle twitches (from hyperkalemia), N/V/D, confusion. Also see Kussmaul resps to compensate…

    • 457 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Nsd 225 Study Guide

    • 2522 Words
    • 11 Pages

    15. If you don’t have enough potassium, it may result in cardiac arrest or an irregular heartbeat (death) [also caused by too much].…

    • 2522 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Mindy Perkins is 48 year old woman who presents to the ED with 10- 15 loose, liquid stools daily for the past 2 days. She completed a course of oral Amoxicillin seven days ago for a dental infection. In addition to loose stools, she complains of lower abdominal pain that began 2 days ago as well. She has not noted any blood in the stool. She denies vomiting, fever, or chills. She is on Prednisone for Crohn’s disease as well as Pantoprazole (Protonix) for severe GERD.…

    • 1549 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Study Guide for Exam 1

    • 1106 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Hyperkalemia: potassium sparing diuretics, ACE inhibitors, impaired renal excretion, cramping leg pain PEAKED TWAVE PROLONGED PR INTERVAL WHICH LEADS TO VFIB , effect cardiac electrical receptor cells, treat with lasics and kayexalate, force k+ into ECF to ICF with glucose and insulin…

    • 1106 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Apa Case Study Essay

    • 472 Words
    • 2 Pages

    a. Foods that his in potassium in his diet and may contributing to his hyper kalemia include; potatoes, spinach, fruits, salt substitutes, and the bacon, possibly the butter on the toast…

    • 472 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Study Guide

    • 741 Words
    • 3 Pages

    26. Electrical movement through the ventricle is measured and noted on the ECG as the QRS Complex…

    • 741 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    What does this indicate about the refractory period of cardiac muscle? Much longer than that of skeletal muscle.…

    • 1091 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Patho FINAL STUDY GUIDE

    • 758 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Know treatment for hyperkalemia: give them foods high in calcium, treat the cause, give them calcium (calcium is an antagonist to potassium)…

    • 758 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Kidney Failure

    • 508 Words
    • 3 Pages

    * Since Mrs. Jones has had open heart surgery it is very important to make sure that they monitor her hyperkalemia to make sure the levels of potassium stay where they need to so it does not cause the heart to weaken. Treatment should include restoration of the blood volume to normal, restricted fluid intake, and dialysis.…

    • 508 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Hypovolemic Shock

    • 1713 Words
    • 5 Pages

    In the initial stage signs of shock are minimal with cells switching from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism leading to lactic acidosis, this is the build-up of excess lactic acid in the blood. Taking an arterial blood gas and checking the lactate level in the blood can give clear indication of acidosis. Hypovolemia can manifest when there is about 15% loss of circulatory volume, but the more volume lost the more significant the clinical signs become (Hall, 2010).…

    • 1713 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays