Question

A patient with renal failure is found to have an elevated potassium of 6.0. The effect of the high potassium is problems with conduction resulting in abnormal cardiac rhythm. Which of the following describes this type of abnormality?

a) Mitral regurgitation
b) MI
c) Low CO
d) Dysrhythmia

Answer 1

The abnormality described in a patient with elevated potassium levels and abnormal cardiac rhythm is dysrhythmia, specifically due to hyperkalemia affecting the heart's electrical activity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The type of abnormality described by a patient with renal failure and an elevated potassium level resulting in problems with conduction and abnormal cardiac rhythm is dysrhythmia. Hyperkalemia, the medical term for elevated potassium levels, can have severe impacts on the heart, including causing the muscle to become weak and potentially failing to pump blood properly. The abnormal electrical activity treated by potassium channel blockers, such as amiodarone and procainamide, exemplifies the issues surrounding cardiac dysrhythmia.

Hyperkalemia can lead to partial depolarization of the cardiac cells which impairs the ability of the cells to repolarize, and as a result, the heart may not relax properly after a contraction. This can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. In the context of renal failure, this elevated potassium level is most likely due to the kidneys' reduced capability to excrete potassium, among other substances.