Hyperkalemia
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
Renal / Urinary / Electrolyteshigh priorityneeds review
Hyperkalemia
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Kidney failure, tissue breakdown, ACE/ARB, potassium-sparing diuretics, acidosis.
- High potassium can rapidly disrupt cardiac conduction.
Medications
| Class | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Insulins | Insulin with glucose may shift potassium into cells per protocol. |
Nursing actions
- Place on cardiac monitor and assess ECG changes.
- Clarify potassium-raising medications and supplements.
- Prepare calcium, insulin/glucose, albuterol, binders, or dialysis pathway as ordered.
Complications
- Fatal dysrhythmias
- Cardiac arrest
- Muscle weakness
NCLEX cues
- Peaked T waves.
- K kills.
- AKI plus high K is urgent.
Memory hooks
- K kills.
Labs / Diagnostics
- Trend assessment findings and ordered diagnostics; verify exact values with school source material.
Review notes
- Session-derived study seed. Verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy before relying on details.