Serum potassium may increase in clients in progressive shock as a result of metabolic acidosis, which can cause a shift of potassium from the intracellular to extracellular compartments. Because the most significant manifestation of hyperkalemia is a disturbance in cardiac conduction and the development of cardiac dysrhythmias, correction of the imbalance requires immediate action.
(Option 1) Although a blood urea nitrogen level of 44.4 mg/dL (15.9 mmol/L) is elevated, it does not require immediate action. It can increase in clients in a shock state as the result of decreased perfusion to the kidneys (pre-renal azotemia) or extra-renal factors such as dehydration, fever, or gastrointestinal bleed.
(Option 2) Normal creatinine is 0.6 - 1.3mg / d * L (53 - 115mu*mol / L) (Option 3) Normal hematocrit level is 39%-50% (0.39-0.50).
Educational objective: The most significant manifestations of hyperkalemia are disturbances in cardiac conduction and the development of potentially life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
Serum potassium may increase in clients in progressive shock as a result of metabolic acidosis, which can cause a shift of potassium from the intracellular to extracellular compartments. Because the most significant manifestation of hyperkalemia is a disturbance in cardiac conduction and the development of cardiac dysrhythmias, correction of the imbalance requires immediate action.
(Option 1) Although a blood urea nitrogen level of 44.4 mg/dL (15.9 mmol/L) is elevated, it does not require immediate action. It can increase in clients in a shock state as the result of decreased perfusion to the kidneys (pre-renal azotemia) or extra-renal factors such as dehydration, fever, or gastrointestinal bleed.
(Option 2) Normal creatinine is 0.6 - 1.3mg / d * L (53 - 115mu*mol / L) (Option 3) Normal hematocrit level is 39%-50% (0.39-0.50).
Educational objective: The most significant manifestations of hyperkalemia are disturbances in cardiac conduction and the development of potentially life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias.
