In hyperkalemia, cardiac rhythm changes are a direct result of:
A)cardiac cell hypopolarization.
B)cardiac cell hyperexcitability.
C)depression of the sinoatrial (SA) node.
D)cardiac cell repolarization.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If extracellular potassium concentration increases without a significant change in intracellular potassium, the resting membrane potential becomes more positive (i.e., changes from -90 to -80 mV) and the cell membrane is hypopolarized (the inside of the cell becomes less negative or partially depolarized [increase excitability]). (Electrical properties of cells are discussed in Chapter 1.)

In Hyperkalemia, Cardiac Rhythm Changes Are a Direct Result Of