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Hyperkalemia is an elevated level of potassium (K +) in the blood. [6] [1] Normal potassium levels are between 3.5 and 5.0 mmol/L (3.5 and 5.0 mEq/L) with levels above 5.5 mmol/L defined as hyperkalemia. [3] [4] Typically hyperkalemia does not cause symptoms. [1] Occasionally when severe it can cause palpitations, muscle pain, muscle weakness ...
Hypokalemia is a low level of potassium (K +) in the blood serum. [1] Mild low potassium does not typically cause symptoms. [3] Symptoms may include feeling tired, leg cramps, weakness, and constipation. [1] Low potassium also increases the risk of an abnormal heart rhythm, which is often too slow and can cause cardiac arrest. [1] [3]
More specifically, optimal levels are generally close to a central tendency of the values found in the population. However, usual and optimal levels may differ substantially, most notably among vitamins and blood lipids, so these tables give limits on both standard and optimal (or target) ranges.
Potassium resides mainly inside the cells of the body, so its concentration in the blood can range anywhere from 3.5 mEq/L to 5 mEq/L. [14] The kidneys are responsible for excreting the majority of potassium from the body. [14] This means their function is crucial for maintaining a proper balance of potassium in the blood stream.
Because potassium concentrations are very low, they usually have little effect on the calculated gap. Therefore, omission of potassium has become widely accepted. This leaves the following equation: = [Na +] - ([Cl −] + [HCO − 3]) Normal AG = 8-16 mEq/L Expressed in words, the equation is: Anion Gap = sodium - (chloride + bicarbonate)
To maintain electrical neutrality, the solution has a lower level of sodium than that found in blood plasma or normal saline. [4] Generally, the source of the constituent ions is a mixture of sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium lactate (CH 3 CH(OH)CO 2 Na), calcium chloride (CaCl 2), and potassium chloride (KCl), dissolved into distilled water.
Hyponatremia or hyponatraemia is a low concentration of sodium in the blood. [4] It is generally defined as a sodium concentration of less than 135 mmol/L (135 mEq/L), with severe hyponatremia being below 120 mEq/L. [3] [8] Symptoms can be absent, mild or severe.
4.0 mEq/L – Decreased reflexes >5.0 mEq/L – Prolonged atrioventricular conduction >10.0 mEq/L – Third-degree atrioventricular block (AV block) >13.0 mEq/L – Cardiac arrest; At magnesium levels about 4.5 mEq/L the stretch reflex is lost and with over 6.5 mEq/L respiratory failure may be observed.