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Your pediatric patient has been ill for several days leading you to suspect he may be dehydrated. Once on the electrocardiogram, it is evident the patient has an accelerated heart rate and abnormally flattened T waves.

What is the most likely cause of this finding?

A) Hyperglycemia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Hypokalemia"

User VnoitKumar
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8.6k points

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

The pediatric patient's ECG showing an accelerated heart rate and flattened T waves likely indicates Hypokalemia, which is a result of low levels of potassium in the blood and can cause arrhythmias.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most likely cause of the findings on your pediatric patient's electrocardiogram, which shows an accelerated heart rate and abnormally flattened T waves, is Hypokalemia (D). These specific ECG changes, along with the clinical context of illness and suspected dehydration, point towards low potassium levels in the blood. Potassium plays a critical role in cardiac electrical activity, and insufficient levels can cause arrhythmias and changes in the ECG like flattened T waves and tachycardia. Other conditions like hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia, and hypoglycemia have different characteristic ECG findings. Therefore, monitoring and correcting the electrolyte imbalances is important in the management of the patient.

User James Melville
by
8.2k points
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