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Hyperkalemia Definition
- Hyperkalemia is defined as serum potassium >5-5.5 mEq/L.
- Even small potassium shifts cause significant serum level changes because it's mainly intracellular.
Confirming Hyperkalemia
- Always verify true hyperkalemia, as hemolysis or lab errors are the most common causes.
- Consider pseudohyperkalemia in patients with very high platelet or white blood cell counts.
Potassium Regulation
- Potassium regulation involves three mechanisms: intake, intracellular-extracellular shifts, and excretion.
- Renal excretion handles >90% of potassium; the remainder is primarily via the GI tract.