QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
Ramipril can cause high potassium levels as it blocks the aldosterone pathway, and therefore leads to more potassium being retained in the body. Hyperkalaemia is defined as a serum potassium of higher than 5.5mmol/L.
10025010
a
Ramipril
QuestionChoice
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that works by inhibiting the Na-K-Cl co-transporter in the loop of Henle- in the kidney. This means that furosemide causes hypokalaemia, rather than hyperkalaemia.
10025011
b
Furosemide
QuestionChoice
Metformin is not a direct cause of hyperkalaemia.  Instead, this high potassium level is more likely to be caused by use of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor.
10025012
c
Metformin
QuestionChoice
Nicorandil is a vasodilatory drug used used in the treatment of angina. It does not cause hyperkalemia but can, however, have a range of other side effects including headaches, flushing and skin ulceration.
10025013
d
Nicorandil
QuestionChoice
Beta blockers can cause a number of side effects including bronchospasm, insomnia and erectile dysfunction. They do not, however, cause hyperkalemia.
10025014
e
Propranolol
Concept
Chapter
2693
3934
hyperkalaemia
Topic
170
Clinical Chemistry
17400
A 71-year-old male attends his GP to receive the results for his routine blood test. His medications include furosemide, metformin, propranolol, ramipril and nicorandil. His potassium levels are found to be 6.0mmol/L (normal range 3.5-5.3 mmol/L).

Which of the following medications is likely to be the biggest contributor to his hyperkalaemia?
a