Audio Qbank – Q92 – A 51M smoker with low potassium

 

A 51-year-old man presents to the GP for a 3-month history of fatigue and 12kg weight loss. He has smoked two packs of cigarettes daily since high school. Physical examination shows central obesity with violaceous striae.  His serum potassium is 3.0 (normal range: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L). Which of the following is the most likely explanation for his potassium level?

 

  Cellular exchange
  Conn syndrome
  Dilutional effect
  Distal renal excretion
  Insulin resistance

 

Cut-to-the-chase Answer (0:30):
HY USMLE Answer (4:25):