PORTH'S PATHOPHYSIOLOGY TRAINING
STUDY SHEET 2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
◉Central pontine myelinolysis. Answer: Complication of overly
rapid correction of hyponatremia.
◉clinical manifestations of hypokalemia. Answer: - Fatigue
- Muscle weakness, leg cramps
- Nausea, vomiting, paralytic ileus
- Soft, flabby muscles
- Paresthesias, decreased reflexes
- Weak, irregular pulse
- Polyuria
- Hyperglycemia
◉Causes of hypokalemia. Answer: Actual total body potassium loss
~excessive use of meds such as diuretics and corticosteroids
~increased secretion of aldosterone (Cushing's Syndrome)
~Vomiting, diarrhea
, ~Wound drainage (gastrointestinal)
~Prolonged nasogastric suction
~Excessive diaphoresis
~Renal disease impairing reabsorption of potassium
Inadequate intake of potassium: NPO
Movement of potassium from the extracellular fluid to intracellular
fluid
~alkalosis
~hyperinsulinism
Dilution of serum potassium
~Water intoxication
~IV therapy with potassium poor solutions
◉clinical manifestations of hyperkalemia. Answer: *Muscle
weakness (cells in relative or absolute refractory period)
*Flaccid, dilated heart (heart in relative or absolute refractory
period)
ECG abnormal
Ventricular fibrillation
STUDY SHEET 2026 UPDATED QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
◉Central pontine myelinolysis. Answer: Complication of overly
rapid correction of hyponatremia.
◉clinical manifestations of hypokalemia. Answer: - Fatigue
- Muscle weakness, leg cramps
- Nausea, vomiting, paralytic ileus
- Soft, flabby muscles
- Paresthesias, decreased reflexes
- Weak, irregular pulse
- Polyuria
- Hyperglycemia
◉Causes of hypokalemia. Answer: Actual total body potassium loss
~excessive use of meds such as diuretics and corticosteroids
~increased secretion of aldosterone (Cushing's Syndrome)
~Vomiting, diarrhea
, ~Wound drainage (gastrointestinal)
~Prolonged nasogastric suction
~Excessive diaphoresis
~Renal disease impairing reabsorption of potassium
Inadequate intake of potassium: NPO
Movement of potassium from the extracellular fluid to intracellular
fluid
~alkalosis
~hyperinsulinism
Dilution of serum potassium
~Water intoxication
~IV therapy with potassium poor solutions
◉clinical manifestations of hyperkalemia. Answer: *Muscle
weakness (cells in relative or absolute refractory period)
*Flaccid, dilated heart (heart in relative or absolute refractory
period)
ECG abnormal
Ventricular fibrillation
