What electrolyte imbalance is typically seen immediately following a burn?

Following a burn, hyperkalemia, or elevated potassium levels, is commonly observed due to several physiological responses. When skin and underlying tissues are damaged, cellular integrity is compromised, leading to the release of intracellular potassium into the extracellular fluid. This shift is exacerbated by tissue necrosis and inflammation resulting from the burn injury.

Additionally, the initial phase following a burn injury often involves a significant influx of fluid into the interstitial space due to increased capillary permeability. This can lead to a dilutional effect on other electrolytes, but potassium tends to remain elevated because of the leakage from injured cells. Therefore, the body’s response to the insult includes a temporary state of hyperkalemia, making it a key electrolyte imbalance during the acute management of burn patients.

While hypokalemia, hyponatremia, and hypernatremia can occur in various clinical scenarios, they are not typically associated with the immediate post-burn period. Hypokalemia is usually a result of prolonged vomiting or diuretic use, hyponatremia can be seen in cases of fluid overload or chronic conditions, and hypernatremia might occur due to dehydration or high sodium intake but is less likely to be an immediate issue following a burn.