Hyperkalemia Process

Potassium in the human body is largely located in the cells as the major cation of the intracellular fluid. There is also a small amount of potassium in the

1. ECF potassium levels affect resting membrane potential. Hyperkalemia (excessive levels of potassium in the blood) and hypokalemia (abnormally low blood potassium levels) both affect the function of nerves and muscles.

I am concerned about potassium intake because it plays an important role in regulating heartbeat, lowering blood volume and blood pressure (Hammond, 2016d). The lack of potassium intake will lead to irregular heartbeat and life-threatened diseases such as hypokalemia (Hammond, 2016d). In order to increase my potassium consumption, animal foods and plant foods especial fresh vegetable and fruit are needed (Hammond, 2016d).

Metabolic alkalosis is a condition in which the body fluids have excess base. The kidneys and lungs maintain the proper balance of chemicals, called acids and bases, in the body. Decreased carbon dioxide or increased bicarbonate level makes the body too alkaline. There are different types of alkalosis such as: respiratory alkalosis, which is caused by a low carbon dioxide level in the blood. This can be due to: fever, lack of oxygen, lung disease, or liver disease; hypochloermic alkalosis is caused by an extreme lack or loss of chloride, from prolonged vomiting; hypokalemic alkalosis is caused by the kidneys’ response to an extreme lack of potassium, this can occur from taking certain water pills. Compensated alkalosis occurs when the body returns to the acid-base balance to normal in cases of alkalosis, but bicarbonate and carbon dioxide levels remain abnormal. Symptoms of alkalosis can include: confusion, hand tremor, light-headedness, muscle twitching, vomiting, and numbness or tingling in the face, hands, or feet. Treatment for alkalosis depends on

4. Why does potassium concentration rise in patients with acidosis? What is this called? What effects does it have?

In patients with renal failure the two most common electrolyte abnormalities are hyperkalemia and hypermagnesemia. Hyperkalemia results due to decreased renal excretion resulting from renal failure. Both of these abnormalities are initially treated with IV calcium gluconate if the patients are symptomatic. The calcium is given to antagonize the effects of hyperkalemia and hypermagnesemia. The calcium acts to protect the heart muscle temporarily until other treatments can be administered. It is imperative to monitor the patient closely with and ECG when IV calcium is administered due to calcium induced

Ms. Brown is dehydrated due to decreased oral intake. Her sodium is elevated at 156 mEq/L, potassium is elevated at 5.6 mEq/L, chloride is elevated at 115 mEq/L and her blood sugar is also elevated at 412 mg/dl all due to her dehydration and diabetes. Due to her sodium and chloride being elevated, she would have an increase in her ADH secretion which would lead to a decrease in blood circulation, decrease in blood pressure, retention of water and increase of thirst. Because her potassium is so high it has caused her to have an insulin deficit and has lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. She would be experiencing vomiting, dehydration and confusion. She needs insulin to correct her hyperglycemia and IV fluids for her fluid loss. Her anion gap is 21

However, as with all things, moderation is key. When your potassium levels are too high, your heartbeat can become irregular and you could get a heart attack, or your heart could stop beating altogether. We certainly DO NOT want that to happen. Other less severe signs of high potassium in the blood (we call that hyperkalemia in the medical profession) include slow pulse, numbness, weakness, and

Summary There are many disorders/diseases that lead to changes in acid base balance. These conditions are not rare or uncommon in clinical practice, but everyday occurrences on the ward or in critical care. Conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (bronchitis or emphasaemia), diabetic ketoacidosis,

Potassium is an electrolyte of significant importance to normal functioning of the human body. Normal serum potassium levels range from 3.5 meq/L to 5.0 meq/L. When serum potassium levels fall below 3.0 meq/L the patient experiences symptoms which are life altering and life threatening. Thus, correction of hypokalemia requires immediate and efficient interventions to normalize serum potassium

According to the website Symptomfind.com, the average amount of potassium in the blood should be between 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. (Symptomfind.com, 2017)

My client Mrs. Jones has hypokalemia with a serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L. I discuss with Mrs. Jones that eating bananas is a start to fixing her low potassium levels, but she is borderline mild to moderate for her potassium levels. Her water pill is a contributing factor in the loss of potassium from her system and just eating more foods with potassium in them will not get her levels back up to normal. I also explain to her that letting her potassium levels drop any lower can be dangerous for her health especially her heart.

Potassium is crucial to heart function, important for normal digestive and muscular function. It is the primary positive ion (cation) found inside body cells that it is essential for normal cell function. The proper function of the body requires 8% electrolytes in the bones,90% in skin intracellular fluid and 2% in extracellular fluid. Buttarro, et. al., (2017) mentioned that the human body average potassium is about 50 mEq/kg and normal blood potassium level is 3.5 - 5.0 milliEquivalents/liter (mEq/L). The decrease in potassium level is known as Hypokalemia; it profoundly affects the nervous system and heart, and when extreme may lead to sever complication or death (Buttarro et. al., 2017). Hypokalemia is a possible life-threatening imbalance that in some cases are acquired through inducing drugs (iatrogenic), genetic, endocrine, vascular and renal disorders (Butarro et. al.,

Acidosis is when the pH of one’s blood is below the normal level of 7.35. Alkalosis is when the pH of one’s blood is above 7.45. These can be broken down into two categories respiratory and metabolic. Normal oxygen (CO2) levels are 35-45 mmHg in systemic arterial blood. Normal levels for HCO3− 22-26mEq/liter in systemic arterial blood.

Metabolic alkalosis is seen by an increase in the concentration of plasma bicarbonate relative to the concentration of carbonic acid, which shifts the pH to the alkaline side of the physiologic range (case study- pH 7.5). The main causes of metabolic alkalosis are loss of gastric juice or