Pseudohyperkalemia and Pseudonormokalemia in Hematologic Disorders: A Clinician's Guide to Laboratory Artifacts
Pseudohyperkalemia and Pseudonormokalemia in Hematologic Disorders: A Clinician's Guide to Laboratory Artifacts Dr Neeraj Manikath , claude.ai Abstract Spurious potassium measurements represent a frequently overlooked diagnostic challenge in hematologic malignancies and disorders, leading to unnecessary interventions, delayed recognition of true dyskalemias, and occasional catastrophic management errors. This comprehensive review examines the pathophysiology, clinical recognition, and laboratory diagnosis of pseudohyperkalemia and the less commonly recognized pseudonormokalemia in patients with hematologic conditions. We emphasize practical bedside pearls, diagnostic algorithms, and clinical hacks derived from decades of experience managing these complex patients. Introduction: The Clinical Conundrum A 65-year-old woman with chronic myeloid leukemia presents to the emergency department with fatigue. Routine laboratory testing reveals a serum potassium of 6.8 mEq/L. The...