Question

You work at the chemistry bench in a hospital lab and see a critical serum K+ value of 6.0 mEq/L. You need to pick up the phone and immediately call the floor to notify the provider about this result because:

a) It indicates hyperkalemia, a life-threatening condition
b) It suggests hypokalemia, requiring urgent intervention
c) The potassium level is within the normal range
d) The result is inconclusive, and further testing is needed

Answer 1

The critically high serum K+ value of 6.0 mEq/L indicates hyperkalemia, a life-threatening condition. Hyperkalemia impairs the function of skeletal muscles, the nervous system, and the heart. The correct option is a) It indicates hyperkalemia, a life-threatening condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

To answer the question, the critically high serum K+ value of 6.0 mEq/L indicates hyperkalemia, which is a life-threatening condition. Hyperkalemia is characterized by an elevated potassium blood level and can impair the function of skeletal muscles, the nervous system, and the heart. In the case of hyperkalemia, the heart may experience an inability to relax after a contraction, leading to an ineffective pumping of blood and a potentially fatal condition.

In contrast, hypokalemia is an abnormally low potassium blood level and is characterized by an absolute reduction of potassium in the body or a relative reduction in the blood due to potassium redistribution. Hypokalemia can occur due to decreased intake, vomiting, diarrhea, or alkalosis.

Therefore, the correct option is a) It indicates hyperkalemia, a life-threatening condition.