What it means
Skeletal muscle, heart muscle and the brain contain this enzyme, and it leaks into the blood when their cells are injured. Very high levels are seen in rhabdomyolysisrab-doh-my-OL-ih-sisThe rapid breakdown of damaged skeletal muscle, which releases the muscle's contents into the blood.rhabd/o rod-shaped (striated)my/o muscle-lysis breaking downFull entry and crush injuries; smaller rises follow hard exercise, falls, IM injections and muscle problems from statins. The heart-muscle form, CK-MBsee-kay-em-bee (said as letters)A blood test for the form of the enzyme creatine kinase found mainly in heart muscle.Full entry , was once used to find heart attacks, but troponinTROH-puh-ninA protein found in heart muscle cells; its level in the blood is a lab test for heart muscle damage.Full entry has largely replaced it.
For the nurse
With a very high level, watch urine output and color, give IV fluids as ordered, and check potassium and kidney function. Teach a client on a statin to report unexplained muscle pain or weakness.
At a glance
| Normal range | Adults about 30–170 units/L [0.5–2.8 µkat/L]; men run higher than women, and each lab sets its own reference range. |
|---|---|
| Also written | CK, creatine phosphokinase, CPK |
Related terms
troponin
A protein found in heart muscle cells; its level in the blood is a lab test for heart muscle damage.
statin
A drug that lowers cholesterol by blocking an enzyme the liver uses to make it.
rhabdomyolysis
The rapid breakdown of damaged skeletal muscle, which releases the muscle's contents into the blood.
CK-MB
A blood test for the form of the enzyme creatine kinase found mainly in heart muscle.