Chapter 24: Principles of Electrolyte Homeostasis and Electrolytes Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Chapter 24: Principles of Electrolyte Homeostasis and Electrolytes Deck (12)
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1
Q

Electrolytes

A
  • ionized salts dissolved in water

- Most clinically important includes sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, bicarbonate, and phosphate

2
Q

Normal levels of electrolytes in the body

A
  • Calcium: 9-11 mg/dl
  • Magnesium: 1.5-2.5 mEq/L
  • Phosphate (adult/older children): 2.5-4.5 mg/dl
  • Phosphate (children): 4.5-6.5 mg/dl
  • Phosphate (neonates): 4.3-9.3 mg/dl
  • Potassium (normal): 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
  • Potassium (neonates): 3.9-5.9 mEq/L
  • Sodium (normal): 135-145 mEq/L
  • Sodium (neonates): 135-162 mEq/L
3
Q

Dynamic Control

A
  • 4 processes: electrolyte intake, electrolyte absorption, electrolyte distribution, and electrolyte excretion
  • processes work together to maintain dynamic control of electrolyte within normal limits
  • if intake of specific electrolyte increases, excretion of that electrolyte may increase to normalize plasma levels
  • Similarly, if electrolyte intake decreases, electrolytes may be redistributed into the plasma to maintain normal plasma level
4
Q

Electrolyte Intake

A
  • intake normally occurs orally, through food and drink
  • other routes include oral medications, intravenous fluids (IV), nutritional solutions, blood trasfusions, administration of electrolytes, and tubes into body cavities (nasogastric and GI feeding tube)
5
Q

Electrolyte Absorption

A
  • essential if electrolyte is to be useful metabolically
  • Depends on other factors such as concentration gradients, binding proteins, contents of the GI tract, pH of intestinal content, Medications, and surgical removal of portions of the GI tract
6
Q

Electrolyte distribution

A
  • electrolyte composition differs in various compartments
  • concentrations of potassium, magnesium, and phosphate ions are high inside cells
  • Extraacellular fluid contains higher concentrations of sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate ions
  • influenced primarily by hormones such as epinephrine, insulin, and parathyroid hormone
  • certain medications also influence electrolyte distribution
7
Q

Electrolyte Excretion

A
  • occurs through urine, feces, and sweat
  • influenced by hormones
  • other factors that influence include rate of renal tubular fluid flow and medications
8
Q

Electrolyte loss through abnormal routes

A
  • exit of electrolytes from the body through routes other than urine, feces, and sweat
  • may be uncontrollable or may result from therapeutic procedures
  • alters electrolyte homeostasis
9
Q

Electrolyte loss through abnormal routes

A
  • exit of electrolytes from the body through routes other than urine, feces, and sweat
  • may be uncontrollable or may result from therapeutic procedures
  • alters electrolyte homeostasis
10
Q

Examples of Electrolyte loss through abnormal routes

A
  • vomiting
  • nasogastric suction
  • paracentesis
  • Hemodialysis
  • wound drainage
  • fistula drainage
11
Q

Causes of Electrolyte imbalances: Excess

A
  • increased intake
  • increased absorption
  • shift into extracellular fluid
  • decreased excretion
12
Q

Causes of Electrolyte Imbalances: Deficit

A
  • decreased intake
  • decreased absorption
  • shift into electrolyte pools
  • increased excretion
  • Loss through abnormal route