Renal Filtration and Electrolyte Balance · USMLE Step 1

A patient with decreased distal sodium delivery to the collecting duct would most likely experience which electrolyte change?

  1. Decreased potassium excretion (leading to hyperkalemia)
  2. Increased potassium excretion (leading to hypokalemia)
  3. Increased calcium excretion
  4. Increased phosphate excretion
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Correct answer: Decreased potassium excretion (leading to hyperkalemia)

Reduced distal sodium delivery decreases the driving force for potassium secretion in the distal nephron principal cells, leading to reduced K⁺ excretion and potential hyperkalemia.

Difficulty: Medium Question 12 of 20

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