potassium test…

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what the risks are blood test, hypokalemia test, k+, test measures the amount, potassium, in the blood, blood is drawn, a vein, the elbow, the hand, puncture site is cleaned, antiseptic, an elastic band, blood pressure cuff, around the upper arm to apply pressure, restrict blood flow, the vein, veins below the band to swell, blood, a needle is inserted, vein, blood is collected in an air-tight vial, a syringe, band is removed, restore circulation, once the blood has been collected, needle is removed, puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding, in infants, young children, area is cleansed, antiseptic, punctured, a sharp needle, a lancet, blood collected, pipette, small glass tube, on a slide, onto a test strip, into a small container, cotton, a bandage applied, puncture site, any continued bleeding, in people experiencing periodic episodes of paralysis, potassium level drawn, an attack of paralysis, health care provider, advise to withhold drugs, affect the test, special considerations, infants, children, test depends on child's age, previous experience, level of trust, prepare child, infant test, procedure preparation, birth to 1 year, toddler test, procedure preparation, 1 to 3 years, preschooler test, procedure preparation, 3 to 6 years, schoolage test, procedure preparation, 6 to 12 years, adolescent test, procedure preparation, 12 to 18 years, the needle is inserted to draw blood, feel moderate pain, others feel only a prick, stinging sensation, some throbbing, potassium, k+, the major positive ion, cells, particularly important, maintaining the electric charge on the cell membrane, charge allows nerves, muscles to communicate, transporting nutrients into cells, waste products out, the cell, concentration of potassium inside cells, 30 times, in the blood, fluids outside of cells, potassium levels, mainly, controlled by the steroid hormone aldosterone, more information see the aldosterone test, aldosterone is secreted, adrenal gland, levels of potassium increase, aldosterone, body to rid, the excess potassium, metabolic acidosis, uncontrolled diabetes, alkalosis, excess vomiting, affect blood potassium, small changes, in the potassium concentration outside cells, have substantial effects on the activity of nerves, muscles, particularly true of heart muscle, low levels of potassium cause increased activity, lead to an irregular heartbeat, whereas high levels cause decreased activity, either situation, lead to cardiac arrest, circumstances, in normal people, taking potassium supplements, potassium-containing drugs is of no consequences, the kidneys efficiently dispose of excess potassium, normal range is 3.7 to 5.2 meq/l, meq/l = milliequivalent per liter, greater-than-normal levels of potassium, hyperkalemia, crushed tissue, injury, kidney failure, red blood cell destruction, metabolic, respiratory acidosis, transfusion of hemolyzed blood, hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, potassium is elevated, episodes of paralysis, addison's disease, rare, hypoaldosteronism, lower-than-normal levels of potassium, hypokalemia, person is not getting enough potassium intake, in the diet, excessive potassium loss, a gastrointestinal disorder, chronic diarrhea, use of laxatives, vomiting, diuretic use, renal artery stenosis, narrowing, the major blood vessels, kidney, hyperaldosteronism, "true hyperaldosteronism", a tumor, the adrenal gland, "pseudohyperaldosteronism", in liddle's syndrome, hypokalemic periodic paralysis, low potassium, an episode of paralysis, cushing's syndrome, rare, renal tubular acidosis, rare, additional conditions under which the test performed, acute adrenal crisis, acute bilateral obstructive uropathy, acute nephritic syndrome, bulimia, chronic kidney failure, cushing's disease, cushing's syndrome, adrenal tumor, cushing's syndrome, exogenous, cushing's syndrome, ectopic, diabetic ketoacidosis, primary thrombocythemia, renal tubular acidosis, distal, rhabdomyolysis, thyrotoxic periodic paralysis risks associated, venipuncture, slight, excessive bleeding, fainting, feeling light-headed, hematoma, blood accumulating under the skin, infection, a slight risk, the skin is broken, multiple punctures to locate veins, following factors, interfere, infusion of potassium-containing fluids, infusion of glucose, insulin, drugs, increase potassium measurements include aminocaproic acid, antineoplastic drugs, ace inhibitors, captopril, enalapril, epinephrine, heparin, histamine, isoniazid, mannitol, diuretics, succinylcholine, drugs, decrease potassium measurements include acetazolamide, aminosalicylic acid, amphotericin b, carbenicillin, cisplatin, diuretics, insulin, laxatives, penicillin g, phenothiazines, salicylates, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, veins, arteries vary in size, obtaining a blood sample, puncturing the vein is difficult, trauma, red blood cells, potassium to be released from them, causing a falsely elevated result.