What is a cause of acidosis that leads to reversible cardiac arrest?

Hyperkalemia is a significant condition characterized by elevated levels of potassium in the blood, which can lead to acidosis and is often reversible if treated promptly. When hyperkalemia occurs, it can disrupt the normal electrical activity of the heart. Increased potassium levels affect the resting membrane potential, altering cardiac depolarization and repolarization, which can result in life-threatening arrhythmias and can ultimately lead to cardiac arrest.

Reversing hyperkalemia through treatments such as calcium administration, insulin and glucose, or dialysis can restore normal cardiac function and stabilize the patient's condition. Thus, recognizing hyperkalemia as a reversible cause of acidosis that can lead to cardiac arrest is crucial for effective emergency response and patient care.

In contrast, hypokalemia, characterized by low potassium levels, typically does not cause severe acidosis or directly lead to cardiac arrest. Hypothermia results in metabolic changes but is not itself a direct cause of acidosis related to cardiac arrest. Cardiac tamponade involves fluid accumulation in the pericardial space, leading to cardiac compression rather than acidosis as the primary issue.