Final answer:
The body protects itself from dangerous levels of serum potassium through mechanisms such as moving potassium into cells and regulating its excretion through the kidneys.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hyperkalemia, an elevated blood potassium level, can have detrimental effects on the body, particularly on skeletal muscles, the nervous system, and the heart. When serum potassium levels reach dangerous levels, the body relies on several mechanisms to protect itself. One mechanism is the movement of potassium into cells, decreasing its concentration in the blood. Another mechanism is the regulation of potassium excretion through the kidneys, which is influenced by factors such as sodium delivery, urine flow, vasopressin levels, acid-base status, and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. These homeostatic mechanisms work together to maintain normal serum potassium levels and prevent the harmful effects of hyperkalemia.