Question

while treating burn patients, Ashely (an RN), notices that they contain increased levels of potassium in their urine. Why are her patients having this problem?

Answer 1

Increased amount of Potassium is usually found in the Urine of Patients with Burns.This Occur Because-

• There is Increased Release of Potassium into the Blood in case of Burn.This is Due to Tissue Destruction.Dying cells Release Potassium in to Blood.
• The Kidney Has role of maintaing Potassium excreation in Kidney.But in case of a Severe Burn there will be Acute Renal Failure,The amount of potassium Excreated through Urine is Not able to Controll by the kidney.Since there is Increased amount of Potassium in the Blood ,Due to Excessive Tissue Destruction and There is Increased loss of potassium through urine due to Kidney Failure,Burn patients have increased levels of Potassium in their Urine.

Kidney Failure occur in Burns due to Reduced Perfusion WHich is Due to Reduced cardiac Output due to excessive fluid loss