Clinical Diagnosis · Multiple Systems · Easy
Hyperkalaemia
Meaning: An abnormally high level of potassium in the blood, which can cause dangerous heart rhythms.
In practice: Peaked T waves on the ECG warned of severe hyperkalaemia in the patient with kidney failure.
Word parts
- hyper- means above or more than normal
- -aemia means a condition of the blood
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related clinical diagnosis words.
Which word means: Premature fusion of one or more of the fibrous joints in an infant's skull, causing an abnormal head shape.
Answer: Craniosynostosis
Which word means: The presence of air in the central chest compartment between the lungs.
Answer: Pneumomediastinum
Words like hyperkalaemia come up in the daily game
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