hyperkalemia…

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circulatory system, high potassium, potassium, hyperkalemia, higher than normal levels of potassium, in the bloodstream, potassium has many functions, helps to regulate the activity of all muscle tissue, smooth muscles, muscles, in the intestines, muscles, the heart, skeletal muscles, potassium is part, the enzyme reactions in digestion, metabolism, part of homeostasis, mechanism used by the body to maintain a balance between the many electrical, chemical processes, 98%, potassium, in the body is found inside the cells, intracellular, 2% occurs, in the fluids outside, the cells, extracellular, potassium, move into, out of cells, blood tests reflect only the extracellular potassium levels, not indicate the amount, potassium, the cells, movement of potassium into, out of cells, change the blood potassium level, serum potassium, no change, in the total amount, potassium, hyperkalemia occurs, the level of potassium, in the bloodstream is higher than normal, related to increase in total body potassium, excessive release of potassium, cells, bloodstream, kidneys, excrete excess potassium, most cases of hyperkalemia, disorders that reduce the kidneys' ability to excrete potassium, insufficient kidney function, result from disorders, not limited to, acute kidney failure, chronic kidney failure, lupus nephritis, rejection of a kidney transplant, obstructive uropathy, glomerulonephritis, hormone aldosterone, the aldosterone test, regulates kidney excretion of sodium, potassium, lack of aldosterone, result in hyperkalemia, an increase in total body potassium, addison's disease is one disorder that causes, reduced aldosterone production, time potassium is released, cells, accumulate, in the extracellular fluid, bloodstream, acidosis, acidic condition, results in movement of potassium from inside the cells, extracellular fluid, tissue trauma causes, cells to release potassium, extracellular fluid, traumatic injury, surgery, gastrointestinal bleeding, tumors, burns, hemolytic conditions, disorders that cause blood cells to burst, rhabdomyolysis from drug ingestion, alcoholism, coma, certain infections, kidney function is adequate, sufficient amounts of aldosterone, tissue trauma alone rarely results in hyperkalemia, a, functioning kidney, excrete the excess potassium, released, cells, increased intake of potassium, hyperkalemia, kidney function is poor, salt substitutes often contain potassium, many "low-salt" packaged foods, hyperkalemia, medications, medications that affect kidney function, potassium sparing diuretics, spironolactone, amiloride, triamterene, potassium supplements, intravenous potassium, hyperkalemia, have serious, potentially life-threatening effects on the body, a gradual increase in potassium, chronic renal failure, better tolerated than a sudden increase, slightly higher than normal potassium levels well tolerated by some persons, chronic renal failure, hyperkalemia, asymptomatic, following signs, nausea, irregular heartbeat, an emergency symptom, prolonged, severe, weak, absent pulse, emergency symptom, pulse slow, irregular, serum potassium is high, ecg, potentially lethal arrhythmias, bradycardia that progressively slows, heart block, become complete heart block, ventricular fibrillation, ecg, changes indicative of hyperkalemia, cardiac arrest, absent heartbeat, occur at any time, treatment of hyperkalemia, hospitalization, close monitoring, acute treatment, goal of acute treatment, protect the body, effects of hyperkalemia, protective measures, shift of potassium, intracellular fluid, reduction of total body potassium, emergency treatment is indicated potassium is very high, severe symptoms, in the ecg, intravenous calcium given to temporarily counteract the muscular, cardiac effects of hyperkalemia, cardiac arrhythmias, intravenous calcium, counteract symptoms, 1 hour, treatments should begin, intravenous glucose, insulin moves potassium, extracellular fluids back, cells, reverse severe symptoms long enough, correction, the hyperkalemia, sodium bicarbonate causes, potassium to shift from extracellular to intracellular fluids, reverse hyperkalemia, acidosis, no other treatment required, prolonged use of sodium bicarbonate, avoided, it, severe complications, diuretic medications cause decrease in total body potassium, persons who, tolerate the loss of body fluid that accompanies use of a diuretic, cation-exchange resins, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, kayexalate, medications that bind potassium, to be excreted, gastrointestinal tract, medications given orally, rectally, dialysis, reduce total body potassium levels, kidney function is compromised, dialysis is indicated, more conservative measures have failed, inappropriate, long-term treatment, long-term treatment includes treatment, associated disorders, treatment of chronic renal failure, dietary potassium restriction, "loop diuretics", prescribed to reduce potassium, fluid levels in persons, chronic renal failure, potassium supplements, medications, hyperkalemia, reviewed by the health care provider, medications stopped, reduced in dose, substituted by another medication, salt substitute, used by people on a low salt diet, should not be used by those, renal failure, a history of hyperkalemia, probable outcome is variable, deadly complications, well tolerated by the body, changes in neuromuscular control, arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, symptoms indicating hyperkalemia, emergency symptoms include loss of consciousness, changes in breathing pattern, nausea, weakness, absent, weak heartbeat, disorders, hyperkalemia, treated promptly, serum potassium, monitored in persons, kidney function, assessed, prior to, administration of potassium supplements, should not be given, the urine output, kidney function is adequate.