Metabolic Conditions

This chapter on metabolic emergencies contains seven clinical Short Answer Questions (SAQs) with explanations and sources for further reading. Possible disorders and accompanying symptoms of altered metabolism that may present in the emergency department include hypokalaemia, acute kidney injury, anion gap, and exercise-induced hyponatraemia, among others. It will be up to the emergency doctor to assess, diagnose, and decide upon a treatment path for each patient. The cases described in this chapter are all situations any emergency doctor is likely to encounter at some point in his or her career. The material in this chapter will greatly aid revision for the Final FRCEM examination.