Which condition is a potential complication of hyperkalemia?

Hyperkalemia, which is characterized by elevated potassium levels in the blood, can lead to serious cardiovascular complications. The most critical of these is cardiac arrest. High levels of potassium disrupt the normal electrical activity of the heart, which can lead to arrhythmias—irregular heartbeats that can progress to more severe conditions, including ventricular fibrillation and asystole, ultimately resulting in cardiac arrest.

In addition, hyperkalemia impairs myocardial contractility and can cause changes in the electrocardiogram (ECG), presenting as peaked T waves, prolonged PR intervals, and widened QRS complexes. These ECG changes reflect the adverse effects of excess potassium on cardiac function, reinforcing the severity of the risk posed to the patient.

While hypotension, respiratory distress, and muscle weakness can also occur in patients with hyperkalemia, they are generally secondary to the more acute risks associated with cardiac instability. Therefore, cardiac arrest stands out as the most immediate and life-threatening complication, making it the correct answer.