Hyperkalemia 

In this article, I want to give you some super easy ways on how to remember the causes of hyperkalemia, signs, and symptoms, and the nursing interventions for this condition.

Normal Potassium is 3.5 to 5.1. Anything higher 7.0 or higher is very dangerous

Most of the body’s potassium is found in the intracellular part of the cell compared to the extracellular which is where sodium is mainly found. Blood tests that measure potassium levels are measuring the potassium outside of the cell in the extracellular fluid.

Hyper= excessive

Kal= root word for potassium

Emia=blood

Meaning of hyperkalemia: excessive potassium in the blood

Causes of Hyperkalemia\

Remember the phrase “The Body CARED too much about Potassium”

Cellular Movement of Potassium from Intracellular to extracellular (burns, tissue damages, acidosis)

Adrenal Insufficiency with Addison’s Disease

Renal Failure

Excessive Potassium intake

Drugs (potassium-sparing drugs like Aldactone (spironolactone), Triamterene, ACE inhibitors, NSAIDs

Signs & Symptoms of Hyperkalemia

Remember the word MURDER

Muscle weakness

Urine production little or none (renal failure)

Respiratory failure (due to the decreased ability to use breathing muscles or seizures develop)

Decreased cardiac contractility (weak pulse, low blood pressure)

Early signs of muscle twitches/cramps…late profound weakness, flaccid

Rhythm changes: Tall peaked T waves, flat p waves, Widened QRS and prolonged PR interval

Nursing Intervention

• Monitor cardiac, respiratory, neuromuscular, renal, and GI status

• Stop IV potassium if running and hold any PO potassium supplements

• Initiate a potassium restricted diet and remember foods that are high in potassium

Potassium Rich Food

Remember the word POTASSIUM for food rich in potassium

Potatoes, pork

Oranges

Tomatoes

Avocados

Strawberries

Spinach

mUshrooms

Musk Melons