Which clinical finding would the nurse expect in a patient with reduced aldosterone secretion?

Which clinical finding would the nurse expect in a patient with reduced aldosterone secretion?

• A. Hyperkalemia
• B. Hypokalemia
• C. Hypercalcemia
• D. Hypocalcemia

Answer: (A)

Aldosterone promotes potassium excretion in the distal nephron. It increases sodium reabsorption and drives a lumen-negative potential that encourages potassium secretion into the tubular fluid. When aldosterone secretion is reduced, less potassium is secreted, so serum potassium rises. This makes hyperkalemia the expected finding. Calcium levels aren’t directly regulated by aldosterone in the same way; calcium balance is mainly controlled by hormones like PTH and calcitriol. So hypercalcemia or hypocalcemia aren’t typical results of reduced aldosterone alone.

Aldosterone promotes potassium excretion in the distal nephron. It increases sodium reabsorption and drives a lumen-negative potential that encourages potassium secretion into the tubular fluid. When aldosterone secretion is reduced, less potassium is secreted, so serum potassium rises. This makes hyperkalemia the expected finding.

Calcium levels aren’t directly regulated by aldosterone in the same way; calcium balance is mainly controlled by hormones like PTH and calcitriol. So hypercalcemia or hypocalcemia aren’t typical results of reduced aldosterone alone.