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Hyperkalemia

Waiz Wasey, MD, Sarah Hutchings and Rebecca Dix Reviewed 06/2022
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Hyperkalemia is a common electrolyte disorder defined as a plasma potassium (K) concentration >5.5 mEq/L (>5 mmol/L).

  • Hyperkalemia depresses cardiac conduction and can lead to f...

DIAGNOSIS

Serum potassium level greater than the normal range (3.5-5.0 mEq/L) 

HISTORY

  • Neuromuscular cramps, myalgias, muscle weakness or paralysis

  • Abdominal pain

  • Palpitations

  • Numbness

PHYSICAL EXAM

  • Decrease...

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

  • Stabilize myocardial membranes. Initial treatment with calcium gluconate IV 1,000 mg (10 mL of 10% solution) over 2 to 3 minutes (5)[A]

    • With constant cardiac monitoring

    • Can repeat a...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

Serum K levels should be rechecked every 2 to 4 hours until the patient has stabilized, and recurrent hyperkalemia is no longer a threat. 

DIET

Re...

REFERENCES

1
Nisson E, Gasparini A, Arnlov J, et al. Incidentce and determinants of hyperkalemia and hypokalemia in a large healthcare system. Int J Cardiol. 2017 Oct 15;245:277-284.
2
...

SEE ALSO

  • Addison Disease; Hypokalemia

  • Algorithm: Hyperkalemia

CODES

ICD10

E87.5 Hyperkalemia 

SNOMED

  • 14140009 hyperkalemia (disorder)

  • 237847005 Hyperkalemic acidosis

  • 237849008 Drug-induced hyperkalemia (disorder)

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Emergency and urgent management of hyperkalemia takes precedent to a thorough diagnostic workup. Urgent treatment includes stabilization of the myocardium with calcium gluconate to pro...

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