Figure 2. The carbon-carbon double bond found in monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids can exist in the cis or trans configuration. When the two hydrogen atoms are on opposite sides of the double bond, the configuration is called trans.
Hyperkalemia is a medical emergency, yet the administration of insulin, in most circumstances, can wait until a pharmacy prepares a stat dose. In general, pharmacy should also prepare all insulin infusions using a standard concentration (e.g., 1 unit/mL).
Hyperkalemia, defined as a serum potassium level of more than 5 mEq/L, is the most common electrolyte abnormality leading to life-threatening arrhythmias and cardiac arrest.1 Hyperkalemia has vague and varied symptoms; in fact, it can be totally asymptomatic, or the initial presentation may be sudden death.