Correct!
5. 1 and 3
The lungs are compressed by her elevated diaphragms causing atelectasis especially in the lower lobes. Pneumonia or consolidation does not cause volume loss although the two may coexist. The abdominal x-ray shows the tip of a naso-gastric (NG) tube presumably in the stomach and diffuse gaseous distention of the large and small bowels. The diaphragms are not seen on the abdominal x-ray but are on the chest x-ray. There is no obvious free air under the diaphragm the most common finding with gastrointestinal perforation.
She was begun on lactulose and her mental status somewhat improved. However, she was noted to have a gradually increasing serum K+ from 4 to 5.6 mEq/L. She was not receiving potassium supplements or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.
Which of the following is/are possible causes of hyperkalemia in this patient? (Click on the correct answer to move to the third of six pages)