Why is potassium increased during the shock phase of burn management?

During the shock phase of burn management, potassium levels increase primarily due to the breakdown of damaged cells. When burns occur, especially extensive or deep burns, the integrity of cell membranes is compromised, leading to cell lysis. This process releases intracellular potassium into the extracellular space, resulting in elevated serum potassium levels.

Elevated potassium is a critical consideration in burn management, as hyperkalemia can cause serious cardiac complications. It's important for healthcare providers to monitor potassium levels closely in burn patients due to this phenomenon, as well as other metabolic changes that may occur due to the extensive tissue damage and fluid shifts associated with burns.