Which dietary modification is appropriate for a CKD patient with elevated potassium?

• A. Limit potassium intake
• B. Increase potassium intake
• C. No restriction
• D. Use potassium-sparing diuretics

Answer: (A)

When potassium is elevated in chronic kidney disease, the body can’t excrete it efficiently, so reducing the amount that comes from food helps bring levels down. Limiting potassium-rich foods lowers the daily potassium load and makes it easier to keep serum potassium in a safe range, which reduces the risk of dangerous heart rhythms. Increasing potassium intake would raise the risk further, and not restricting would allow potassium to remain high. Potassium-sparing diuretics would also worsen hyperkalemia, so they’re not appropriate in this situation.