potassium level

>5 I'd say. Potassium really isn't something you have a lot of room to play with. Might be able to push it to 5.5 just watching it.

Also depends on patient's baseline. Some renal patients can really run high with no immediate danger. I once saw one come back from K+ of 13.

And they must be on a cardiac monitor while you're correcting either issue!

I would not say any potassium level over 5 will cause cardiac arrest.

5.5 - 6 is considered mild hyperkalemia

6-7 is considered mild hyperkalemia

7+ is considered severe hyperkalemia

Do not think I will go running for the calcium chloride at 5.5.

And they must be on a cardiac monitor while you're correcting either issue!

We get K's

They usually order Kayexalate if K>5.3ish(also depends on the Pt).

And they must be on a cardiac monitor while you're correcting either issue!

Not true. Those having cardiac effects of low potassium need monitoring, but not all K+ replacement needs monitoring.

I also think that underlying causes for the electrolyte imbalances are important. An otherwise healthy person with mild hyperkalemia will perk up my radar, but someone in the unit with a blood sugar through the roof or hyponatremic will have me looking and/or asking for orders for intervention.

Depends on the pt. I work with renal pts so don't get upset unless its >7. Had one that was walking around with a 10.3.

We have HD pts that consistently run>6. Orders specifically state NOT to call the physician on their 'dialysis days' if their K is over 6.

I've never seen a 10.3 K level. Wow!

i'm asking this question because i always call doctor with potassium level from 5.6 tp 5.9 and this one doctor always doesnt do anything. the patients i have are the geriatric patients. so is this level considered mild and does not require intervention or is potassium level slightly elevated with geriatric patient?

Critical high K+ is >6.5, and normal serum potassium levels are the same for adult and elderly populations.

Many geriatric patients have chronic renal insufficiency, which would lead to elevated levels of serum K+. Some other causes that would be common in the geriatric population might be dehydration and medications such as potassium sparing diuretics and ACE inhibitors.

Not sure why the doctor doesn't order anything....can you find a way to ask him or her respectfully? Maybe she or he will explain.