Question:

Which of the following statements are true about hyperkalemia in farm animals?
(A) Hyperkalemia manifests after severe metabolic alkalosis.
(B) Hyperkalemia is more life threatening than hypokalemia.
(C) Marked bradycardia and cardiac arrest may occur due to hyperkalemia.
(D) Disappearance of 'P' wave, high amplitude of 'T' wave with increased 'QRS' complex are the characteric ECG changes in hyperkalemia.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Show Hint

Hyperkalemia is highly cardiotoxic. Its classic ECG signature is: Tall, tented T waves, wide QRS complexes, and a disappearing P wave, which can progress to cardiac arrest.
  • (A), (B) and (D) only.
  • (A), (B) and (C) only.
  • (A), (B), (C) and (D).
  • (B), (C) and (D) only.
Show Solution
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Hyperkalemia is an electrolyte imbalance characterized by abnormally high levels of potassium in the blood.
Potassium is crucial for maintaining transmembrane electrical potential, particularly in cardiac muscle cells.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let us analyze each statement regarding hyperkalemia:
- Statement (A): Hyperkalemia is typically associated with metabolic acidosis, not alkalosis. During acidosis, excess extracellular hydrogen ions ($H^+$) enter cells in exchange for intracellular potassium ions ($K^+$), which shift out into the extracellular fluid, raising serum potassium levels. Thus, Statement (A) is false.
- Statement (B): Hyperkalemia is highly cardiotoxic and is considered more immediately life-threatening than hypokalemia because it can rapidly induce fatal cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrest. Thus, Statement (B) is true.
- Statement (C): Elevated extracellular potassium decreases resting membrane potential, causing myocardial excitability to decline. This leads to marked bradycardia, conduction blocks, and ultimately asystole (cardiac arrest). Thus, Statement (C) is true.
- Statement (D): The classic progressive ECG changes associated with hyperkalemia include tall, tented T waves (high amplitude), widening of the QRS complex, prolongation of the PR interval, and eventual flattening and disappearance of the P wave as atrial standstill occurs. Thus, Statement (D) is true.
Therefore, statements (B), (C), and (D) are correct.

Step 3: Final Answer:

The correct combination is (B), (C), and (D) only, corresponding to option (D).
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