Causes of Hyperkalemia

Kidney Failure: No GFR, no potassium loss.

RTA Type 4- urine pH usually below 5.3

Acute Tubular Necrosis- MCC of acute kidney injury, often from lack of Oxygen.

Adrenal Hyperplasia d/t deficiency of 22 beta hydroxylaseà no aldosteroneà potassium buildup.

Lupus Nephritis

Transplant Rejection

Glomerulonephritis

Cellular Damage

Rhabdomyolysis- Muscle overuse/overexertion causes rupture

Trauma-Electrical/Thermal Burns/Head Trauma, etc.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome- inappropriate cellular growth results in lysis.

Metabolic Acidosis

Ion Imbalance

Digitalis toxicity- mechanism is to inhibit Na-K ATPase.

Hypocalcemia-don’t discuss

Also Beware of Pseudohyperkalemia

Tying tourniquet too tight causes lysis of RBCs and falsely high serum potassium reading.