Which electrolyte disturbances are commonly seen with tumor lysis syndrome?

Prepare for the ONS ONCC Chemotherapy Exam. Enhance your skills with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations. Ensure you're ready for certification renewal!

Multiple Choice

Which electrolyte disturbances are commonly seen with tumor lysis syndrome?

Explanation:
Tumor lysis syndrome happens when a large number of tumor cells break apart at once, spilling their insides into the bloodstream. This releases potassium, phosphate, and purines that become uric acid. The quick rise in potassium causes hyperkalemia, the rise in phosphate causes hyperphosphatemia, and the uric acid rise reflects purine breakdown. The excess phosphate binds calcium, leading to precipitation and a fall in serum calcium—hypocalcemia. So the typical pattern is high potassium, high phosphate, high uric acid, and low calcium, matching the described option.

Tumor lysis syndrome happens when a large number of tumor cells break apart at once, spilling their insides into the bloodstream. This releases potassium, phosphate, and purines that become uric acid. The quick rise in potassium causes hyperkalemia, the rise in phosphate causes hyperphosphatemia, and the uric acid rise reflects purine breakdown. The excess phosphate binds calcium, leading to precipitation and a fall in serum calcium—hypocalcemia. So the typical pattern is high potassium, high phosphate, high uric acid, and low calcium, matching the described option.

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