Pseudohyperkalemia in a Non-compliant CLL Patient: A Case Study

Abstract

Elevated serum and/or plasma potassium is an occasional occurrence in patients presenting with severe leukocytosis. The term pseudohyperkalemia applies to these conditions in which accurate testing on an acceptable specimen rules out actual hyperkalemia. It is important to correctly diagnose pseudohyperkalemia quickly in order to avoid treatment error. A non-compliant patient previously diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia is presented for discussion of appropriate laboratory testing and diagnosis in pseudohyperkalemia. ABBREVIATIONS: CLL - Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, SLL - Small lymphocytic lymphoma, BMP - Basic metabolic panel, WBC - White blood cell