Which medication is used to stabilize cardiac membranes in cases of hyperkalemia?

Calcium gluconate is utilized to stabilize cardiac membranes in cases of hyperkalemia because it helps counteract the effects of elevated potassium levels on the myocardium. Hyperkalemia can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and other serious complications due to the excessive potassium influencing electrical conduction within the heart. Calcium plays a critical role in myocardial contractility and conduction, and administering calcium gluconate reduces the risk of cardiac toxicity associated with high potassium levels.

The other options, while they play important roles in managing hyperkalemia, do not specifically focus on stabilizing cardiac membranes. Insulin can drive potassium back into cells, helping to lower serum potassium levels, while albuterol also assists in moving potassium intracellularly but does not address membrane stabilization directly. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic used for managing hypertension and heart failure but is not used acutely for stabilizing membranes in hyperkalemia.