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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 3 page paper discusses the life-threatening condition known as hyperkalemia, which is associated with electrolyte imbalance. Bibliography lists 3 sources.
Page Count:
3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_HVHyprka.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
physiology and why it is of interest. Discussion In this case, the student became interested in the subject when a patient was admitted with hyperkalemia. The student knew the condition
had to do with potassium levels, but little else; the exposure to this patient has triggered a desire in the student to become familiar with this condition and its causes
and treatment. The specific problem the student wants to address is how to combat the complications of the condition, particularly because it can move so quickly. We begin with a
definition of the condition and why it is so serious, and then narrow the focus to recognition and treatment. Hyperkalemia is the "most dangerous of all electrolyte conditions" and exists
"when potassium levels are above 5mmol/L" (Humphreys, 2007, p. 28). It can cause death in minutes, even seconds, and can also "prevent patients [from] responding to resuscitation drugs" (Humphreys, 2007,
p. 28). The condition "causes classic changes in ECG appearance and represents changes in cell function. It can cause any and all arrhythmias" (Humphreys, 2007, p. 28). Immediate recognition is
the key to combating the complications associated with hyperkalemia, stabilizing the patients and reversing the disease process (Humphreys, 2007, p. 28). Causes: The condition is caused by an increase
in the "plasma potassium concentration," which in turn cases an increase in the "extracellular-to-intracellular potassium concentration ratio"; this increase then leads to a lowering of the "resting membrane potential so
that cardiac cells partially depolarize" (Humphreys, 2007, p. 28). The result of this depolarization is that their excitability increases, "because the resting potential is close to threshold potential" (Humphreys, 2007,
p. 28). However, if the potassium concentration levels continue to rise, the cardiac cells "depolarise so much that they cannot repolarise" (Humphreys, 2007, p. 28). Cells in this state cannot
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