Diving Deep in the Ocean State: Hasbro Electives

Musings of our residents on elective rotations

This is Bananas!

Diving Deep in the Ocean State: Hasbro Electives / May 27, 2020

by Melissa Rodriguez, MD (’21)
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Hypokalemia is the presence of a serum potassium concentration less than 3.5 mEq/L, but it isn’t considered life threatening until around less than 2.5 mEq/L. In pediatrics the most common cause of hypokalemia is GI losses such as diarrhea and vomiting. Other reasons include urinary losses (diuretic use, DKA), inadequate potassium intake (eating disorders), and intracellular shifts of potassium (metabolic alkalosis, beta adrenergic agonist use, hyperthyroidism).

Breathing Easy

Diving Deep in the Ocean State: Hasbro Electives / May 28, 2020

by Adam Kronish, MD (’22)
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Next time I get overwhelmed by the med rec of a complex care patient and their sick plan, I’ll take a moment, take a deep breath, and remember that however frustrating it may be for me to find the Sick plan documented in EPIC, these families have an exponentially more demanding time taking care of these children to prevent them from coming into the hospital.