Hyperkalemia Treatment - Insulin/Dextrose

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