Hyperkalaemia

A detailed Summary of Hyperkalaemia

A patient in hospital presented with a serum potassium concentration of 6.6mmol/L. Discuss the possible causes, further investigation and any consequences of this finding.

Potassium is the predominant intracellular cation. This means that serum potassium concentrations are a poor indicator of total body potassium, as only 2% exists in the extracellular fluid. It is disturbances in the balance between the extracellular and intracellular concentrations that cause raised serum potassium levels, which may even occur when the total body potassium is low. As the patient has a serum potassium level of 6.6mmol/L, which is far higher than the upper limit of the reference range (3.3 - 4.7 mmol/L) it appears the patient is hyperkalaemic. The distribution of potassium in the body is about 150mmol/L in the intracellular fluid (ICF), and about 4mmol/L in the extracellular fluid (ECF). The ICF concentration is determined by the movement of cations across the cell membrane, so anything causing movement of potassium out of the cell will result in hyperkalaemia. The ECF concentration is determined by intake and excretion of potassium. In normal non-diseased individuals the amount of dietary potassium is equal to the amount excre

Smith, A.F. Beckett, G.J. Walker, S.W. Rae, P.W.H. (1998) Lecture Notes on Clinical Biochemistry. 6th edition. Blackwell science.

ted in the urine via the kidneys. This is normally between about 20-100mmol daily, but even potassium intake exceeding 100mmol will rarely result in hyperkalaemia as healthy kidneys can cope with excretion of high potassium loads, so a dietary excess rarely causes hyperkalaemia.

Some common words found in the essay are:
ICF ECF, ECF ICF, , ATPase Bicarbonate, serum potassium, Clinical Biochemistry, Pathology Blackwell, potassium levels, cause hyperkalaemia, movement potassium, London Pgs, serum potassium levels, Clinical Chemistry, excretion potassium, renal failure, cells cause, total body, cell damage, Marshall WJ, Parums DV, total body potassium, body potassium, potassium lack insulin, uptake potassium lack, blackwell science pgs,

Approximate Word count = 1207
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Science

join now Save Paper

Saved Paper

Save your papers so you can locate them quickly!

Newest Essays

Testimonials

"Thank You So Much!!! You have saved me once again!!!"
Jack M.
"With so many papers to chose from, I was able to get ideas to help me with all of my classes. Thank You!"
Brian P.
"I've used this site for the last 3 years to help me come up with ideas for my papers."
Sara J.
"I use this site every week to help me write my own papers!"
Rachel W.
"I love this site!!!"
Marie N.