Hyperkalemia is defined as a serum potassium level above which value?

Hyperkalemia is defined as a serum potassium level above which value?

• A. 4.5 mEq/L
• B. 5.2 mEq/L
• C. 5.7 mEq/L
• D. 5.0 mEq/L

Answer: (D)

Potassium in the blood has a normal range of about 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. Hyperkalemia is defined by values that exceed the upper end of this normal range. The cutoff used clinically to define hyperkalemia is 5.0 mEq/L, so any value above this is considered hyperkalemia. For example, levels like 5.2 or 5.7 are hyperkalemic, while 4.5 is still within the normal range. The threshold at 5.0 mEq/L is the point that separates normal potassium from elevated potassium.

Potassium in the blood has a normal range of about 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. Hyperkalemia is defined by values that exceed the upper end of this normal range. The cutoff used clinically to define hyperkalemia is 5.0 mEq/L, so any value above this is considered hyperkalemia. For example, levels like 5.2 or 5.7 are hyperkalemic, while 4.5 is still within the normal range. The threshold at 5.0 mEq/L is the point that separates normal potassium from elevated potassium.