Introduction: Electrolyte balance is an important factor in homeostasis in the human body. Derogations of various parameters, including hyperkalaemia, lead to serious conditions that can also be life-threatening. Hyperkalaemia is discussed when serum potassium is above 5.5 mmol/l. Different symptoms and signs appear, shown in changed feeling of the patient and in particular with changes in the electrocardiographic record. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma work is to present the medical treatment of a patient with hyperkalaemia and to highlight the important role of a nurse, with an emphasis on proper blood collection. Methods: A descriptive method of work with a critical literature review was used. The literature search; the period from 2009 to 2019 was conducted through the web portal of the digital library of the University of Ljubljana in the international online databases CINAHL, Medline (Pubmed), Cochrane library and via COBIB.SI. Key words and phrases were used: hyperkalaemia, recognition, consequences, ECG, nursing, mistakes, hemolysis, and blood withdrawal. Results: Hyperkalaemia is indicated by the occurrence of muscular weakness, paraesthesia and paralysis of the lower limbs and with changes in the electrocardiogram. Changes in electrocardiogram depend on the potassium concentration. The following may occur: extended QRS complexes, tapered T waves, smaller or invisible P waves, changes in ST segment, bradycardia and asystolia. A trained nurse will be able to quickly identify dangerous changes and compliant with the instructions of a doctor prevent the deterioration of the patient's health. The nurse is also involved in blood sampling for the determination of potassium in serum, the application of medicines to lower serum potassium according to the doctor's order and to teach a patient. Several causes for false results after blood collection has been identified in examined literature: tourniquet tighten too long, fist pressing, throbbing a vein, incorrect selection of the tube, incomplete filling of the tube and a sudden rotation of the tube, thrombocytosis, leukocytosis and hysterical crying associated with hyperventilation. Discussion and conclusion: Qualified nurse has to be well aware of and observe a patient, who has to trust her and report deviations that he feels, because they can be an important indicator of the deviations in electrolyte balance in the body. Nurse must know the correct procedure for taking blood so no false results are obtained, while taking blood sample. Nurse must recognize changes in the electrocardiographic record, which are crucial for the patient, as they can lead to death. For all of this, nurse needs a high level of knowledge and the ability to think critically.
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