Which medication is used to treat hyperkalemia?

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Multiple Choice

Which medication is used to treat hyperkalemia?

Treating hyperkalemia often involves methods that remove potassium from the body or move it into cells. Kayexalate is a potassium-binding resin that works in the gut by exchanging sodium for potassium in the large intestine. The bound potassium is then excreted in the stool, reducing serum potassium levels over hours to days. This makes Kayexalate a useful option for non-urgent or ongoing potassium reduction, especially when rapid measures aren’t required. In contrast, potassium chloride would raise potassium levels, which is the opposite of what you want. Sodium bicarbonate can help in cases with acidosis by shifting potassium into cells, but it’s not a direct potassium-binding agent and isn’t the primary treatment for hyperkalemia. PhosLo is a phosphate binder and does not address potassium, so it’s not used for this purpose. Keep in mind Kayexalate isn’t for emergency stabilization of severe hyperkalemia; urgent therapies like insulin with glucose, beta-agonists, calcium for cardiac protection, or dialysis may be needed. Newer options like patiromer or sodium zirconium cyclosilicate can also be used for longer-term potassium control, but Kayexalate remains a traditional agent for binding potassium in the gut.

Treating hyperkalemia often involves methods that remove potassium from the body or move it into cells. Kayexalate is a potassium-binding resin that works in the gut by exchanging sodium for potassium in the large intestine. The bound potassium is then excreted in the stool, reducing serum potassium levels over hours to days. This makes Kayexalate a useful option for non-urgent or ongoing potassium reduction, especially when rapid measures aren’t required.

In contrast, potassium chloride would raise potassium levels, which is the opposite of what you want. Sodium bicarbonate can help in cases with acidosis by shifting potassium into cells, but it’s not a direct potassium-binding agent and isn’t the primary treatment for hyperkalemia. PhosLo is a phosphate binder and does not address potassium, so it’s not used for this purpose.

Keep in mind Kayexalate isn’t for emergency stabilization of severe hyperkalemia; urgent therapies like insulin with glucose, beta-agonists, calcium for cardiac protection, or dialysis may be needed. Newer options like patiromer or sodium zirconium cyclosilicate can also be used for longer-term potassium control, but Kayexalate remains a traditional agent for binding potassium in the gut.

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