Clinical Biochem Flashcards
(39 cards)
major ECF cation
sodium
hyponatremia
low sodium (water retention)
hypernatremia
high sodium (most likely dehydration)
major ICF cation
potassium
hypokalemia
low potassium
hyperkalemia
high potassium (renal insufficiency)
- may trigger cardiac arrest with no warning
- affects muscle function
buffer system controlled by lungs and kidneys
bicarbonate- CO2
- acid/base balance
- monitored for diabetic ketoacidosis, glucose, pH, and electrolyte concentration
- mostly in bones
- also a 2nd messenger
- affects muscular and neuronal function
calcium
hypercalcemia
high calcium
- problems or degradation of bones
hypocalcemia
low calcium
- hormonal disturbances
stored in bones
phosphate
hyperphosphatemia
high phosphate
indicative of degenerative bone disease
hypophosphatemia
low phosphate
- can impair glucose metabolism
- possible renal failure
If kidney function is impaired, what will the serum and urine levels of urea/creatinine?
serum - high
urine - low
When is BUN high a potential problem?
When protein intake and catabolism are normal and BUN is high
- insensitive marker
- measure of kidney function
- it is released at a constant rate
creatinine
end product of purine degradation
uric acid
high uric acid value is indicative of what?
sign of kidney problems and predispose to gout
conjugated to glucuronic acids and water soluble
direct bilirubin
unconjugated to glucuronic acid
not water-soluble
indirect bilirubin
When will you find proteins in urine?
proteins in urine is not normal
- it’s indicative of decreased kidney function
- made by liver
- binds to hydrophobic molecules
- binds calcium
- maintains oncotic pressure
Albumin
low albumin
manifest as edema
- water is drawn out of serum and into tissues
- common cause is liver disease
hypoalbuminemia
If globulin is found in the serum, what is it indicative of?
impaired immune system function