Which electrolyte disorder is listed as a metabolic cause of muscle breakdown?

Which electrolyte disorder is listed as a metabolic cause of muscle breakdown?

• A. Hyperkalemia
• B. Hypokalemia
• C. Hypernatremia
• D. Hypocalcemia

Answer: (B)

Severe disturbances in potassium levels can trigger muscle breakdown by disrupting muscle cell function. Potassium is essential for maintaining the muscle cell’s resting membrane potential and proper excitation–contraction coupling. When potassium is critically low, muscle cells can’t maintain electrical stability or adequate energy production, leading to cell injury and eventual breakdown of muscle fibers (rhabdomyolysis). This is why a hypokalemic state is listed as a metabolic cause of muscle breakdown. High potassium is usually a consequence of muscle cell rupture after breakdown, rather than the initiating cause. Hypernatremia and hypocalcemia are not classic primary triggers for rhabdomyolysis in the same way hypokalemia is, though calcium dysregulation can occur as a secondary event during the process.

Severe disturbances in potassium levels can trigger muscle breakdown by disrupting muscle cell function. Potassium is essential for maintaining the muscle cell’s resting membrane potential and proper excitation–contraction coupling. When potassium is critically low, muscle cells can’t maintain electrical stability or adequate energy production, leading to cell injury and eventual breakdown of muscle fibers (rhabdomyolysis). This is why a hypokalemic state is listed as a metabolic cause of muscle breakdown.

High potassium is usually a consequence of muscle cell rupture after breakdown, rather than the initiating cause. Hypernatremia and hypocalcemia are not classic primary triggers for rhabdomyolysis in the same way hypokalemia is, though calcium dysregulation can occur as a secondary event during the process.