Hyperkalemia in Burn Patients

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Specializes in Mental Health-BC.

I tried doing a search but couldn't come up with anything that answers my question. I read that a major complication after a burn injury is hyperkalemia. Does anyone know the pathophysiology behind this? I understand that there is increased capillary permeability after a burn and the fluid in the vascular space shifts out into the interstitial spaces, but shouldn't the electrolytes follow in behind the fluid? It seems as if hypokalemia would be the major complication. Thanks.

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Specializes in CVICU.

The reason hyperkalemia occurs can be explained when we look at the normal physiology of the cell. Potassium is the most abundant ion inside the cell. During a burn, those cells are damaged, and the potassium leaves the cell, and goes into the blood. The finding upon lab draw is hyperkalemia.

You are correct about the fluid shifting out of the cells as well due to increased permiability.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community. We are happy to help with homework and calljs was very nice to you. But we like to help you come to the correct conclusion by yourself.

If the potassium in on the inside of the cell and the cell is destroyed where does the potassium go? If massive tissue destruction causes tissue destruction causing rhabdomyolysis from bombardment of CPK from massive tissue destruction....Would the potassium raise from these?

Hyperglycemia results from the following:

Medscape: Medscape Access requires registratoin but it is free and an excellent resourse.

i need help learning about burns and hyperkalemia

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/i-need-help-375585.html

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Specializes in Mental Health-BC.

Thank you very much for your replies. Super helpful.

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