High potassium values are not uncommon in hospitalized patients, especially in the elderly. One study reported serum potassium levels more than 5 mEq/L in 15% of patients over age 70. However, hyperkalemia is found in relatively few diseases. Decreased renal potassium excretion. Renal failure is the most common cause of hyperkalemia, both in this category […]
Hypokalemia has been reported in about 5% of hospitalized patients. Abnormalities in potassium have many similarities to those of sodium. Some conditions with potassium abnormalities are also associated with sodium abnormalities and were discussed earlier. Several different mechanisms may be involved. Inadequate intake. Ordinarily, 90% of ingested potassium is absorbed, so that most diets are […]
The presence of unexpected alloantibodies (antibodies against red cell antigens) in patient serum found in pretransfusion screening of recipients is 0.7%-1.6%. This averages 9% (range, 6%-36%) in multitransfused patients. Infants less than 4 months old usually do not form alloantibodies against transfused red cell antigens that they lack. After that, age per se does not […]
