Which therapy moves potassium from the bloodstream into cells in the treatment of hyperkalemia?

Which therapy moves potassium from the bloodstream into cells in the treatment of hyperkalemia?

• A. Calcium
• B. Insulin
• C. Potassium-sparing diuretics
• D. Dialysis

Answer: (B)

In hyperkalemia, the quickest way to reduce dangerous potassium levels is to move potassium from the blood into cells. Insulin accomplishes this by activating the Na+/K+ ATPase pump on cell membranes, which pumps potassium from the extracellular space into cells. To avoid low blood sugar, insulin is given with glucose. This shift lowers serum potassium rapidly and buys time for other methods to remove potassium from the body. Calcium helps stabilize the heart’s electrical activity but does not lower potassium itself. Potassium-sparing diuretics and dialysis remove potassium from the body in other ways and do not achieve the intracellular shift like insulin does.

In hyperkalemia, the quickest way to reduce dangerous potassium levels is to move potassium from the blood into cells. Insulin accomplishes this by activating the Na+/K+ ATPase pump on cell membranes, which pumps potassium from the extracellular space into cells. To avoid low blood sugar, insulin is given with glucose. This shift lowers serum potassium rapidly and buys time for other methods to remove potassium from the body. Calcium helps stabilize the heart’s electrical activity but does not lower potassium itself. Potassium-sparing diuretics and dialysis remove potassium from the body in other ways and do not achieve the intracellular shift like insulin does.