Chronic kidney disease patients are at risk for which electrolyte abnormality?

Chronic kidney disease patients are at risk for which electrolyte abnormality?

• A. Hyperkalemia
• B. Hypokalemia
• C. Hypernatremia
• D. Hyponatremia

Answer: (A)

Chronic kidney disease reduces the kidneys’ ability to excrete potassium, so potassium builds up in the blood as filtration declines. With fewer functioning nephrons, distal tubule potassium secretion is impaired, and the metabolic acidosis common in CKD pushes potassium from inside cells into the extracellular space, further raising serum levels. Medications such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium-sparing diuretics, and NSAIDs can worsen potassium retention. Elevated potassium can cause dangerous cardiac conduction problems and arrhythmias, making hyperkalemia the main electrolyte risk seen in CKD.

Chronic kidney disease reduces the kidneys’ ability to excrete potassium, so potassium builds up in the blood as filtration declines. With fewer functioning nephrons, distal tubule potassium secretion is impaired, and the metabolic acidosis common in CKD pushes potassium from inside cells into the extracellular space, further raising serum levels. Medications such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, potassium-sparing diuretics, and NSAIDs can worsen potassium retention. Elevated potassium can cause dangerous cardiac conduction problems and arrhythmias, making hyperkalemia the main electrolyte risk seen in CKD.