Advanced Patient Assessment Practice Exam

The major consequence of untreated hyperkalemia is cardiac arrest. Hyperkalemia refers to an elevated level of potassium in the blood, which can significantly influence the electrical activity of the heart. High potassium levels can lead to various cardiac arrhythmias, including ventricular fibrillation and asystole, both of which can result in sudden cardiac arrest. Potassium plays a critical role in maintaining the resting membrane potential of cardiac cells, and when levels become excessively high, it disrupts normal cardiac conduction. This can lead to a slowed heart rate, abnormal heart rhythms, and ultimately, if not addressed, it can cause the heart to stop beating effectively. While respiratory failure, acidosis, and hypertension are potential consequences of various health issues, they are not the primary or direct consequences of untreated hyperkalemia. It is the heart's vulnerability to the effects of high potassium that makes cardiac arrest the most serious and immediate concern in such cases.