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2019 Voxmedia Sleep Program Image

The Integral Role of Nephrology Nurses in the Management of Hyperkalemia

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Registration: 7:15PM - 7:30PM
Symposium:  7:30PM - 8:45PM

Venue: Omni Fort Worth
              1300 Houston Street • Fort Worth • Texas

Ballroom: Ballroom AB, Second Floor

Chair:  Mary Schira, PhD, APRN, ACNP-BC

Faculty: Debra Castner, RN, MSN, APN, CNN;
               Csaba Kovesdy, MD

Registration for this program is now closed.

 
Program Overview:

Hyperkalemia is one of the main electrolyte disorders in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The prevalence of hyperkalemia increases as the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) declines. Hyperkalemia can be acute or chronic, each requiring distinct management strategies. Although reninangiotensin- aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) have shown an important benefit in patients with CKD, hyperkalemia limits their use contributing to treatment withdrawal or suboptimal dosing which has been associated with increased mortality rates. In addition to those individuals with less advanced CKD, patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) receiving chronic hemodialysis often have persistent predialysis hyperkalemia, a potentially life-threatening condition that is associated with cardiac arrhythmias and death. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) has been traditionally used in CKD patients; however, its efficacy has been inconsistent, and it is associated with adverse events. Furthermore, there is a lack of evidence with SPS in randomized, controlled trials in patients undergoing hemodialysis. New potassium binders have enabled patients with CKD to continue with RAASi therapy, and also helped patients with ESRD maintain predialysis serum potassium levels and prevent the need for urgent rescue therapy to reduce serum potassium. Therefore, in this program, experts in the management of hyperkalemia will 1) identify goals and strategies in managing acute and chronic hyperkalemia, 2) emphasize the importance of maintaining CKD patients on RAASi to improve clinical outcomes, 3) interpret the evidence with new potassium binders in the treatment of patients with hyperkalemia with CKD and also with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis, and 4) explain how to best use these new therapies in clinical practice.

Educational Objectives: 

  1. Indicate the association of hyperkalemia with chronic kidney disease and ESRD
  2. Describe the data with potassium binders in patients with CKD and ESRD undergoing adequate hemodialysis
  3. Recognize the deficiency in patient understanding of hyperkalemia

Accreditation & Credit Designation:
Voxmedia LLC is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Voxmedia LLC designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurse practitioners may participate in this educational activity and earn a certificate of completion as AANP accepts AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM through its reciprocity agreements.

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credits TM from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

Educational Grant: This activity is supported by an educational grant from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.

Target Audience:  This educational activity is intended for nephrology nurses and other nurses and clinicians treating patients with hyperkalemia.