Final answer:
Intravenous calcium swiftly counteracts hyperkalemia with ECG changes and must be administered first in such emergencies. It stabilizes the cardiac membrane and reduces the risk of fatal arrhythmias. Other treatments, like insulin and beta-2 agonists, are also used but act more slowly.
Step-by-step explanation:
Intravenous calcium is the first treatment administered to rapidly counteract hyperkalemia with ECG changes in an emergency.
Hyperkalemia, a condition characterized by high potassium levels in the blood, can lead to dangerous ECG changes and is considered a medical emergency. In such cases, administration of intravenous calcium is critical as it helps to stabilize the cardiac membrane and counteracts the cardiotoxic effects of high potassium levels. The calcium works almost immediately to mitigate the risk of fatal arrhythmias by altering the threshold potential and reducing myocardial excitability.
Other treatments follow the initial calcium administration, including the use of insulin combined with glucose to drive potassium back into the cells, and beta-2 agonists to reduce potassium levels. However, these treatments take longer to act compared to the immediate effects of intravenous calcium. In some cases, dialysis may be necessary if other methods to lower potassium fail. It is important to monitor ECG and potassium levels throughout the treatment process to ensure the heart rhythm normalizes and that potassium levels return to a safe range.