Name one treatment for hyperkalemia.

The treatment for hyperkalemia involves measures that can help to lower potassium levels in the blood. The selected option, which includes the administration of calcium gluconate or insulin and glucose, is effective because it addresses both the immediate stabilization of cardiac membranes and the cellular shift of potassium.

Calcium gluconate plays a critical role in stabilizing the heart muscle cells and preventing arrhythmias that can result from elevated potassium levels. When potassium is high, it can disrupt normal heart rhythms, and calcium helps to protect the cardiovascular system from these effects.

Furthermore, the combination of insulin and glucose facilitates the movement of potassium from the bloodstream into the cells, thereby lowering serum potassium levels. Insulin promotes cellular uptake of potassium, and glucose is administered alongside to prevent hypoglycemia, which can occur due to the action of insulin.

In contrast, while magnesium sulfate and diuretics can have roles in managing electrolyte imbalances, they do not specifically address hyperkalemia in the same immediate or direct way as calcium gluconate or insulin and glucose. Vitamin D does not have a direct effect on lowering potassium levels and is more involved in calcium metabolism. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for the management of hyperkalemia and highlights the importance of the selected therapy in protecting