Hyperkalemia

Nursing Students Student Assist

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Hello everyone,

Can anyone help me with this

It is known that due to hypokalemia there is a intracellular shift of H+ in order to maintain electrical neutrality. (Hypokalemia makes the cell membrane more negative)

Can the opposite happen with hyperkalemia? (less negative membrane -> efflux of H+ -> raise in extracelullar acidity

Thank you in advance

Specializes in Hospice, Palliative Care.

Good day:

Yes. Hypokalemia goes with alkalosis as hyperkalemia goes with acidosis.

Thank you.

Specializes in Pedi.
Good day:

Yes. Hypokalemia goes with alkalosis as hyperkalemia goes with acidosis.

Thank you.

Not always. In most types of renal tubular acidosis, you'll find hypokalemia with acidosis.

Of course there is always a caveat to any and every rule you will learn in your patho class, the simple answer, and the one you will be expected to know on your exam, is that yes, hyperkalemia is often seen with acidosis

The classic association, that I can guarantee you'll run into in clinical, work, and NCLEX, is diabetic ketoACIDosis. Treat with insulin, drives K+ into cells, hypokalemia results, bad things ensue. Make sure you check K+ and plan for replacement.

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