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Potassium is the primary electrolyte within the cell. Damaged cells release
potassium into the circulation.
Potassium plays a crucial role in:
- Acid-base balance
- Nerve conduction
- Muscle contraction
Potassium levels may rise in the presence of:
- Renal failure
- Any cell damage (trauma, burn, chemotherapy)
- Acidosis
- Addison's disease
- IV Potassium Penicillin administration
Potassium levels may fall in the presence of:
- Diarrhea
- Diuretics
- Renal disease
- Malnutrition
- Severe burns
- Ascites
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Normal Values*
| Men |
3.5-5.0 mEq/L |
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Women
|
3.5-5.0 mEq/L |
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Pregnancy
|
3.3-4.1 mEq/L |
Potassium levels less than 2.6 or greater than
6.4 are associated with potentially fatal cardiac arrythmias
*These are general values taken from a variety of
sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one
type of testing protocol to another.
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