Question

Potassium levels above the expected reference range of 3.5 to 5 mEq/L, means this client is at risk for_________

Answer 1

Potassium levels above the expected range can indicate hyperkalemia, a serious condition affecting muscle function, the nervous system, and the heart, possibly resulting in symptoms like cardiac arrhythmias, mental confusion, numbness, and weakened respiratory muscles.

Step-by-step explanation:

Potassium levels above the expected reference range of 3.5 to 5 mEq/L means this client is at risk for hyperkalemia, which can impair the function of skeletal muscles, the nervous system, and the heart. Hyperkalemia can lead to serious complications, including cardiac arrhythmias and even cardiac arrest. This condition can result from increased dietary intake of potassium, and its presence in the extracellular fluid (ECF) can cause partial depolarization of muscle fibers, neurons, and cardiac cells. Hyperkalemia prevents the heart from relaxing after a contraction, potentially resulting in the heart seizing up and stopping. Other symptoms may include mental confusion, numbness, and weakened respiratory muscles.