J Emerg Med
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Persons with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are frequent utilizers of emergency medical services but are a poorly understood and medically complex population. As the treatment of acute spinal cord injuries improves, there is a growing population of patients suffering from the chronic neurological deficits and altered homeostasis resulting from those injuries. ⋯ A SCI is a devastating but increasingly survivable event. The long-term care of persons with SCIs is challenging because of the unique pathologies encountered in this population and the disruption of normal and expected physiological responses to common ailments. This review will facilitate a better understanding of the emergency care needs of this unique patient population.
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Hyperkalemia is a common electrolyte disorder that can result in morbidity and mortality if not managed appropriately. ⋯ Hyperkalemia can be deadly, and treatment requires specific measures including membrane stabilization, cellular shift, and excretion.