Which of the following is a possible ECG finding in hypokalemia?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a possible ECG finding in hypokalemia?

Low potassium slows the heart’s repolarization, so the ECG shows changes in the ST segment and T waves. In hypokalemia, you typically see depressed ST segments and flattened T waves, often with prominent U waves. This combination, especially the ST segment depression, is a classic sign of low potassium on the ECG. ST elevation usually points to acute injury like a heart attack or pericarditis, not potassium deficit. A normal ECG would miss these electrolyte effects, and T wave inversion is more commonly linked to ischemia or other conditions rather than hypokalemia. So the observed ST depression best matches the expected ECG change in hypokalemia.

Low potassium slows the heart’s repolarization, so the ECG shows changes in the ST segment and T waves. In hypokalemia, you typically see depressed ST segments and flattened T waves, often with prominent U waves. This combination, especially the ST segment depression, is a classic sign of low potassium on the ECG.

ST elevation usually points to acute injury like a heart attack or pericarditis, not potassium deficit. A normal ECG would miss these electrolyte effects, and T wave inversion is more commonly linked to ischemia or other conditions rather than hypokalemia. So the observed ST depression best matches the expected ECG change in hypokalemia.

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