Hyperkalemia

Question 1

what is hyperkalemia?

Answer 1

plasma levels of potassium in excess of 5.0 mmol/L

Question 2

what are the 3 causes of hyperkalemia?

Answer 2

• too rapid admin
• too little output
• shifts between intracellular an extracellular compartments

Question 3

why is it difficult to create hyperkalemia when treating low potassium levels with oral supplements?

Answer 3

bc the kidneys will excrete any overload

Question 4

when can hyperkalemia result when treating low potassium levels?

Answer 4

if IV potassium containing solutions are administered rapidly

Question 5

what should be looked at before potassium containing solutions are administered?

Answer 5

kidney function

Question 6

what is the most common cause of hyperkalemia?

Answer 6

decreased renal function, usually renal failure

Question 7

the movement of potassium in an out of the cells can cause hyperkalemia. TRUE or FALSE

Answer 7

true
- this movement can occur in response to tissue injury

Question 8

why does potassium move in an out of the cells?

Answer 8

in periods of acidosis, the body tries to compensate for a high number of hydrogen ions by shifting them into cells
- in exchange, potassium ions will move out of the cells an into the plasma