Critical care: hypokalaemia on ECG: practice question

A Anaesthesia question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anaesthesia · Critical care: hypokalaemia on ECG

Sample item

Which ECG finding is characteristic of hypokalaemia?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. U waves, flattened T waves and ST depression

Hypokalaemia causes ST depression, T wave flattening and prominent U waves, and can lead to ventricular arrhythmias. Tall peaked T waves and a widened QRS are features of hyperkalaemia. Replacement is intravenous with ECG monitoring in severe cases, and magnesium is corrected.

Option by option

  • A. Tall peaked T waves

    Peaked T waves indicate hyperkalaemia.

  • B. Widened QRS with sine wave

    A sine wave pattern indicates severe hyperkalaemia.

  • C. Short QT interval

    A short QT is seen in hypercalcaemia.

  • D. U waves, flattened T waves and ST depression (correct)

    Correct. These are the classic hypokalaemic changes.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is D, U waves, flattened T waves and ST depression. Hypokalaemia causes ST depression, T wave flattening and prominent U waves, and can lead to ventricular arrhythmias.

Why is "Tall peaked T waves" not the answer?

Peaked T waves indicate hyperkalaemia.

Why is "Widened QRS with sine wave" not the answer?

A sine wave pattern indicates severe hyperkalaemia.

Why is "Short QT interval" not the answer?

A short QT is seen in hypercalcaemia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Critical care: hypokalaemia on ECG in Anaesthesia. Tall peaked T waves and a widened QRS are features of hyperkalaemia. Replacement is intravenous with ECG monitoring in severe cases, and magnesium is corrected.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Critical care: hypokalaemia on ECG?

Make a table of each agent, its key advantage and its main side effect. Then use the flashcards and the other Anaesthesia questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.