Hypokalaemia and hyperkalaemia — OSCE

OSCE communication and clinical reasoning station for the parents of a child newly diagnosed with Gitelman syndrome presenting with hypokalaemia, tetany and hypomagnesaemia, covering the diagnosis, the role of magnesium, the lifelong supplementation plan, and the safety-net.

osce communication and clinical reasoning station1 min readVerification in progress

Prompt

You have 8 minutes with the parents of a 14-year-old girl who presented with leg cramps and tetany. Her blood tests showed a potassium of 2.7 mmol/L, a low magnesium, and a metabolic alkalosis; further testing has confirmed Gitelman syndrome, an inherited kidney tubule disorder. She will need lifelong potassium and magnesium supplements. Explain the diagnosis in plain language, why the magnesium matters, the treatment plan, and agree a safety-net for the future.

Candidate brief

You are the paediatric registrar. Your daughter is 14 and has had cramps and tingling for two years, worse recently. The team has confirmed a genetic kidney condition called Gitelman syndrome. The parents want to understand what it is, whether it is curable, why their daughter needs magnesium as well as potassium, what the treatment involves day to day, and what to watch for. Explain clearly, check their understanding, and agree a plan. ^[9]

References3Show

[4]Viera AJ; Wouk N Potassium Disorders: Hypokalemia and Hyperkalemia. Am Fam Physician, 2015.PMID 26371733
[9]Fulchiero R; Seo-Mayer P Bartter Syndrome and Gitelman Syndrome. Pediatr Clin North Am, 2019.PMID 30454738
[10]Blanchard A; Bockenhauer D; Bolignano D; Calò LA Gitelman syndrome: consensus and guidance from a Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Controversies Conference. Kidney Int, 2017.PMID 28003083

Hypokalaemia and hyperkalaemia — OSCE

osce communication and clinical reasoning station1 min readVerification in progress

Candidate brief

References3Show

[4]Viera AJ; Wouk N Potassium Disorders: Hypokalemia and Hyperkalemia. Am Fam Physician, 2015.PMID 26371733
[9]Fulchiero R; Seo-Mayer P Bartter Syndrome and Gitelman Syndrome. Pediatr Clin North Am, 2019.PMID 30454738
[10]Blanchard A; Bockenhauer D; Bolignano D; Calò LA Gitelman syndrome: consensus and guidance from a Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Controversies Conference. Kidney Int, 2017.PMID 28003083