Hyperkalemia Adult

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Hyperkalemia (hi-per-KAH-le-me-ah) is a condition where the level of potassium in your blood is higher than normal. Potassium is an electrolyte (mineral) that is found in the body and keeps your body working properly. Potassium helps control how your muscles, heart, and digestive system work by moving into and out of cells. Most potassium in the body is found inside cells. Hyperkalemia happens when too much potassium is outside of the cell and stays in the blood. A diet high in potassium, such as bananas, salt substitutes, or protein calorie supplements may increase potassium levels. Kidney diseases, a high blood sugar, trauma or taking certain medicines may also cause hyperkalemia.
  
  
• Symptoms of hyperkalemia include abdominal (stomach) cramping, nausea (upset stomach), vomiting (throwing up), or diarrhea (loose bowel movement). Your heart may beat faster, slower, or stronger than normal. You may also have muscle weakness, trouble breathing, twitching, or little or no urine. Blood potassium levels and an electrocardiogram (ECG) may be needed to diagnose hyperkalemia. Treatment is aimed at decreasing the potassium levels by medicines, decreasing potassium by exchanging potassium with sodium, or dialysis. With prompt treatment, such as medicine, you have a greater chance of having a full recovery.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Hyperkalemia is a serious condition. It may cause changes in muscle control and heart problems. Hyperkalemia can cause death if it is not treated. With treatment and careful monitoring of potassium levels for those at risk of hyperkalemia, you may decrease the risks of serious problems. Ask your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your condition, care, or treatment.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent:

A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

Medicines:

You may be given the following medicines:

• Calcium: This medicine may be given to reverse the effects of hyperkalemia, such as cardiac arrhythmias.
  
  
• Diuretics: These medicines are often called water pills. Diuretics may help your body get rid of extra potassium by removing extra fluid from your body. You may urinate more often when taking diuretics.
  
  
• Insulin and glucose: Insulin may help your body move sugar to your cells along with potassium. This will decrease the amount of potassium in your blood for some time. Glucose will increase the amount of sugar in your blood, which may be lowered by insulin.
  
  
• Sodium bicarbonate: This medicine may be used if acidosis (an acidic condition of the body) is causing the hyperkalemia. This medicine may cause potassium to move back into the cells and out of the blood.

Tests:

You may need any of the following:

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken to give caregivers information about how your body is working. The blood may be taken from your hand, arm, or IV.
  
  
• Heart monitor: This test is also called an EKG or ECG. Sticky pads are placed on your skin to record your heart's electrical activity. An EKG gives information about how your heart is working. Lie as still as possible during the test.

Treatment options:

• Cation exchange resin: This may help decrease potassium by exchanging potassium with sodium. Potassium is pulled from the blood into the cell and sodium is pulled from the cell into the blood. This may be taken by mouth or given through your rectum (rear end), such as an enema.
  
  
• Dialysis: You may need to have dialysis if medicines cannot decrease your potassium or you cannot take the medicine. This may be done especially if you have a kidney disease.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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