potassium level

[Ms.RN]

at what level is serum potassium level considered high and needs intervention?

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

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.

[NurseKitten, MSN, RN]

Clarification: K+ replacement in the form of NS with 20 KCl doesn't need a monitor for mild hyperkalemia. But if their K+'s really out of whack, and you're replacing it, I wouldn't do it without one. If the K+'s out of whack, it's probably not the only thing that's not right, and the pre-potential slope of the cardiac muscle cells, which do differ in various parts of the heart, depend heavily on the concentration gradient of the ions.

In other words, you may not need a monitor for the K+ itself, but it's a strong indicator of potential other issues, and in the end, what's it gonna hurt?

[ebby2011]

I think everybody is different but there is a safe range (3.5 -5) for a reason. its the unsubjective safe range. I am a survivor of potassium levels being too low and too high. My lowest was .07 which resulted in cardiac arrest which obviously pulled through although was inconducive with life. i had no symptoms prior to this except siezures when i got to hot, No muscle weakness cramping heart palpitations nothing. And my high was 9. but with this i had symptoms. couldnt stop throwing up, was the weakest i have ever felt heart racing hot flushes and delerious.

[Jenni811, RN]

i work on a cardiac unit, so K+ is something we really don't mess around with, and there is not alot of wiggle room with K+. Our open heart patients, we don't want their K+ anything less than 4 or greater than 5. Otherwise, you want it between 3.5-5 for anyone else.