why JH experienced more cardiac vs neuronal symptoms
JH, a 53 year-old female, had not been feeling well lately and suddenly started to feel acutely worse. She started to have shortness of breath, and was experiencing an irregular heartbeat, chest pain, muscle weakness, and feelings of severe nausea. She called 911 and was taken to the hospital where blood samples were drawn. The following table summarizes the results of her bloodwork (Table 1)
Table 1: JH ion concentrations at intake (blood).
| lon | Plasma concentration - measured (mM) | Plasma concentration - normal (mM) |
| K+ | 8 | 5 |
| Na+ | 142 | 142 |
| Cl- | 105 | 105 |
| Ca2+ | 2.5 | 2.5 |
JH was diagnosed with hyperkalemia and ordered IV fluids. The IV fluids she was given contained calcium gluconate and insulin. Her potassium levels were monitored over a 24-hour period and were as summarized in Table 2.
Table 2. JH potassium concentrations post-IV fluids (blood).
| Time (hours) | Measured plasma K+ (in mM) |
| 0 | 8.0 |
| 3 | 7.1 |
| 6 | 6.4 |
| 9 | 5.9 |
| 12 | 5.6 |
| 15 | 5.3 |
| 18 | 5.1 |
| 21 | 5.0 |
| 24 | 5.0 |
Calculalated equilibrium potential with normal hyperkalemia ion concentrations
| Ion | Equilibrium potential with normal ion concentrations (in mV) | Equilibrium potential in hyperkalemia patient (in mV) |
| K+ | -90 mV | -78 mV |
| Na+ | +60 mV | +60 mV |
| Cl- | -87 mV | -87 mV |
| Ca+2 | +104 mV | +104 mV |
Calculalated resting membrane potential (Vm) of normal hyperkalemia ion concentrations is attached below
Based on the data provided to you within this case and your calculations, postulate as to why JH
experienced more cardiac vs neuronal symptoms. You do not need to provide detailed information on cardiac physiology
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