Re: Learning thread (ER medicine)

I've also seen orders for continuous Albuterol nebs to lower K+. Used Kayexolate, the insulin/dextrose/calcium chloride combo, and continuous albuterol nebs on a pt. with a K+ of 8.2. Seemed to work!

Re: Learning thread (ER medicine)

If a patient is on calcium channel blockers it is possible that the drug can mask the symptoms of an underlying hypoglycemia

Re: Learning thread (ER medicine)

Originally Posted by Pineapple devil

If a patient is on calcium channel blockers it is possible that the drug can mask the symptoms of an underlying hypoglycemia

Its actually Beta-blockers that mask the signs of hypoglycemia...however, the only symptom of hypoglycemia that beta blockers do *not* mask is sweating since sweating is not affected by the sympathetic nervous system. The sweat receptors are actually innervated by the sympathetic system, but receive signals through muscarine receptors.

Re: Learning thread (ER medicine)

Originally Posted by Froggywog

Its actually Beta-blockers that mask the signs of hypoglycemia...however, the only symptom of hypoglycemia that beta blockers do *not* mask is sweating since sweating is not affected by the sympathetic nervous system. The sweat receptors are actually innervated by the sympathetic system, but receive signals through muscarine receptors.

yeah i realized i typed in the wrong thing too late to edit the post

Re: Learning thread (ER medicine)

tip I learned after 5 years.... upright LPs are a lot easier than laterals for infants.... i found it easier to keep an eye on their respiratory status, baby's heavy (5 weeker) little head on my thumbs and pinky/ring fingers supporting the hips.... really beats the fetal position and the resident got it right away... and apparently... if they need to restick there is less chance of false RBCs in the CSF when they stick the next up vertebral space bc the blood from the first stick will fall down and not contaminate the following stick... as opposed to lateral the blood can spread to all adjacent spaces.... if someone would like to verify this... it would be helpful... seemed to make sense to me though...

Re: Learning thread (ER medicine)

http://www.rch.org.au/nets/handbook/...m?doc_id=11230

this helps a bit