AEMCA Practice Exam

What are ECG signs that might indicate hyperkalemia?

1. Tall peaked T-waves with shortening of the QT interval

2. Bradycardia with normal P waves

3. Flattened T waves with PR interval prolongation

4. Irregularly shaped QRS complexes only

The correct answer is: Tall peaked T-waves with shortening of the QT interval

The presence of tall peaked T-waves along with a shortening of the QT interval is a classic electrocardiogram (ECG) finding associated with hyperkalemia, or elevated levels of potassium in the bloodstream. As potassium levels rise, it affects the electrical activity of the heart, leading to characteristic changes on the ECG. The tall peaked T-waves represent altered repolarization of the ventricles due to the increased extracellular potassium concentration, while the shortening of the QT interval can occur as the action potentials are affected by the increased potassium, leading to faster repolarization. These changes are significant because they can serve as early indicators of hyperkalemia and alert healthcare providers to the potential for serious complications such as arrhythmias, which can be life-threatening if not addressed promptly. In contrast, other options describe ECG changes that do not typically correlate with hyperkalemia. Bradycardia with normal P waves suggests a slower heart rate but does not indicate elevated potassium levels. Flattened T waves and PR interval prolongation are more commonly associated with hypokalemia, while irregularly shaped QRS complexes may be indicative of various conditions but are not specific to hyperkalemia without other accompanying changes. Therefore, the identification of tall peaked T-waves and