What is a notable risk associated with chronic kidney disease or injury?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) or acute kidney injury (AKI) significantly impacts the body's ability to maintain homeostasis, particularly with electrolytes. One of the notable risks associated with these conditions is hyperkalemia, or elevated potassium levels in the blood.

The kidneys play a crucial role in filtering and excreting potassium; therefore, when kidney function declines, the body's ability to eliminate potassium becomes compromised. Elevated potassium can lead to serious complications, such as cardiac arrhythmias, which can be life-threatening. Monitoring potassium levels is essential in patients with CKD or AKI, and interventions may be necessary to prevent hyperkalemia from occurring.

While salt retention is a concern in CKD due to fluid overload, it does not represent the same immediate risk as hyperkalemia. The risk of hypocalcemia, which stems from disrupted calcium metabolism in patients with kidney issues, also exists but is not as acute or prominent as hyperkalemia in the context of CKD or AKI. Additionally, an increase in urine output is not typically associated with CKD, as patients generally experience decreased urine output or anuria in progressive kidney dysfunction. Therefore, hyperkalemia stands out as a critical and notable risk in the context of chronic kidney