Hyperkalemia

CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL

Hyperkalemia is defined as an increase in plasma potassium levels above 5.0 mmol/L. This condition can be potentially dangerous due to its effects on cardiac and neuromuscular function.

Potassium is a crucial electrolyte for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and heart function. The causes of hyperkalemia can vary, including impaired renal excretion, cellular potassium shifts, and increased intake or administration of potassium.

Early diagnosis and proper management are essential to prevent severe complications such as cardiac arrhythmias.

Pathology	Clinical Symptoms and Signs	Suspected Diagnosis	Confirmatory Diagnosis
Medication side effects	Muscle weakness, fatigue, palpitations, cardiac arrhythmias	History of medications known to cause hyperkalemia	Serum potassium measurement, medication review
Potassium administration	Muscle weakness, fatigue, palpitations, cardiac arrhythmias	History of excessive intake or potassium administration	Serum potassium measurement
Metabolic acidosis	Muscle weakness, fatigue, confusion, cardiac arrhythmias	History of acidosis, arterial blood gas analysis	Serum potassium measurement, arterial blood gas analysis
Renal failure	Muscle weakness, fatigue, edema, palpitations, cardiac arrhythmias	History of renal disease, elevated creatinine and BUN	Serum potassium measurement, renal function tests
Diabetic ketoacidosis	Muscle weakness, fatigue, Kussmaul breathing, abdominal pain, confusion, cardiac arrhythmias	History of type 1 diabetes, elevated glucose levels	Serum potassium measurement, arterial blood gas, glucose levels
Addison’s disease	Muscle weakness, fatigue, weight loss, hyperpigmentation, hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias	History of symptoms suggestive of adrenal insufficiency	Serum potassium measurement, cortisol and ACTH levels, ACTH stimulation test
Recent blood transfusion	Muscle weakness, fatigue, palpitations, cardiac arrhythmias	History of recent blood transfusion	Serum potassium measurement, transfusion history
Hemolysis during sample collection	May be asymptomatic, abnormal potassium results	History of traumatic or mishandled blood sample	Repeat potassium analysis with a new blood sample