Potential complications associated with hyperkalemia can include which of the following?

Bradycardia is a potential complication associated with hyperkalemia due to the effects of elevated potassium levels on the cardiac membrane potential. High potassium concentrations can alter the normal electrical conduction of the heart, leading to slower heart rates. This change occurs because potassium plays a critical role in depolarizing cardiac cells, and excessive potassium can impair cardiac conduction, particularly affecting the sinoatrial node and atrioventricular node, which are responsible for regulating heart rate.

In the context of hyperkalemia, other vital signs such as blood pressure can be affected. However, elevated potassium does not directly cause hypertension; rather, it can lead to arrhythmias or cardiac arrest, which would typically be more of a concern than changes in blood pressure. Hypernatremia and cirrhosis are unrelated conditions that do not typically result from hyperkalemia itself. Understanding these relationships is crucial in the acute care setting, where prompt recognition and management of hyperkalemia and its complications are essential for patient safety and outcomes.