Which electrolyte imbalance is expected in a client with chronic kidney disease?

Hyperkalemia, or elevated potassium levels in the blood, is a common electrolyte imbalance in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). As kidney function declines, the ability to excrete potassium diminishes, leading to increased serum potassium levels. The kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining potassium balance by filtering excess potassium from the bloodstream. In CKD, this filtration process is compromised, resulting in the retention of potassium.

Monitoring potassium levels is essential in CKD patients, as hyperkalemia can lead to serious consequences such as cardiac arrhythmias. Patients with CKD are often advised to manage dietary potassium intake and may require treatments to help lower potassium levels if they become elevated.