Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Methods of Anesthesia > Electrolyte Abnormality > Flashcards

Electrolyte Abnormality Flashcards

1
Q

Highest sodium concentration that should be allowed before cancelling an elective surgery

A

150 mEq/L

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Lowest sodium concentration that should be allowed before cancelling an elective surgery

A

130 mEq/L

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

3 things that happen when sodium is reabsorbed

A
  1. Water is reabsorbed and blood volume increases
  2. Bicarb and chloride are reabsorbed and can lead to metabolic alkalosis
  3. Potassium is excreted, leading to hypokalemia
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Acidosis caused by excess N/S administration

A

Hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis (w/normal anion gap)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What happens in RAAS if a patient becomes hypotensive or hypovolemic (5 steps)

A
  1. Renin is secreted from the kidneys
  2. Renin converts angiotensinogen to angiotensin I
  3. ACE converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II
  4. Angiotensin II increases blood pressure (vasoconstriction and release of aldosterone and ADH)
  5. ADH causes water reabsorption, while aldosterone causes sodium AND water reabsorption
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Increases sodium AND water reabsorption

A

Aldosterone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What happens when aldosterone is released? (4 things)

A
  1. Plasma sodium concentration increases
  2. Blood volume increases
  3. HCO3- increases possible metabolic alkalosis
  4. Plasma potassium concentration decreases
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What happens when ADH is released?

A
  1. Increases water reabsorption
  2. Blood volume increases
  3. Plasma sodium concentration decreases
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What happens with Cushing’s disease?

A
  1. Aldosterone increase
    - increased blood volume/hypertension
    - Hypernatremia
    - Hypokalemia
    - metabolic alkalosis
  2. Steroid/cortisol concentrations increase
    - hyperglycemia
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What happens with Addison’s Disease?

A

Adrenal insufficiency

  1. aldosterone decreases
    - hypovolemia/hypotension
    - Hyponatremia
    - Hyperkalemia
    - Metabolic acidosis
  2. Decrease in cortisol
    - hypoglycemia
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Occurs when there are increased aldosterone concentrations, but normal cortisol levels

A

Hyperaldosteronism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Clinical manifestations of hyperaldosteronism may include

A
  1. Hypokalemia
  2. Hypernatremia
  3. Increased blood volume and blood pressure
  4. Metabolic alkalosis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Treatment for hyperaldosteronism

A

Potassium sparing diuretics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Occurs when there are decreased aldosterone concentrations, but normal cortisol

A

Hypoaldosteronism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Cause of hypoaldosteronism

A

Renal failure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Clinical manifestations of hypoaldosteronism

A
  1. Hyponatremia and hyperkalemia

2. Metabolic acidosis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Hypernatremia is defined as ____

A

> 145 mEq/dL

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Etiologies of hypernatremia

A
  1. Retention of sodium

2. Dehydration where water loss is greater than sodium loss

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Symptoms of hypernatremia

A
  1. Brain cell shrinkage
  2. Increased MAC requirements
  3. Hypertension
  4. Hyperreflexia and possible weakness
  5. Potentiation of the effects of muscle relaxants
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Treatment of hypernatremia

A
  1. Hypotonic fluid
  2. Loop diuretics
    TREAT SLOWLY
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

How do you calculate water deficit in hypernatremic patients?

A

Water deficit = normal total body water - present total body water

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

How do you estimate normal total body water?

A

Patients weight in kg x percentage of body weight that is water = TBW

(Normal TBW)(Normal [Na+]) = (present [Na+])(x)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Water deficit for hypernatremic patients should be replaced over ____

A

48 hours

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Occurs when the posterior pituitary fails to secrete ADH

A

Central diabetes insipidus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
How is central diabetes insipidus treated?
1. Hypotonic fluids 2. DDAVP 3. Thiazide diuretics
26
Occurs when the kidneys do not respond to ADH
Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
27
Treatment of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus
1. Hypotonic fluids | 2. Thiazide diuretics
28
Plasma sodium concentration considered hyponatremic
<135 mEq/dL
29
Etiologies of hyponatremia
1. Retention of water | 2. Dehydration where sodium loss is greater than water loss
30
Possible symptoms of hyponatremia
1. Cerebral edema 2. Altered mental status 3. Muscle weakness
31
Examples of hyponatremia from water retention
1. SIADH | 2. AIDs
32
How does the body compensate for hyponatremia in a euvolemic or hypervolemic patient?
By suppressing ADH release
33
Treatment of hyponatremia
Give sodium 1. Find out how many mEq/L the patient is deficient in sodium 2. Find out how many total mEq the patient is deficient in sodium using TBW
34
How much sodium is in 0.9% of NS?
154 mEq/L
35
What can happen with rapid hyponatremia treatment?
1. Central pontine myelinolysis 2. Pulmonary edema 3. Hypokalemia 4. Hyperchloremic acidosis
36
Max daily rate of sodium correction
10-12 mEq/L
37
Why can't a surgeon use normal saline for irrigation with TURP?
Saline disperses the electrocautery current
38
Advantages to performing TURP with a laser
1. Normal saline can be used as an irrigation solution 2. Less blood loss 3. Shorter hospital stay
39
Disadvantages to TURP with a laser
1. Longer operation times | 2. May not effectively remove most or all of BPH tissue
40
Possible irrigation solutions used for TURP
1. Distilled water (rare, extremely hypotonic) 2. 0.9% normal saline (not used with cautery) 3. Glycine (can lead to possible transient visual impairment)
41
Most common type of dehydration in children
Isonatremic
42
Highest potassium concentration that should be allowed before cancelling an elective surgery
5.5 mEq/L
43
Lowest potassium concentration that should be allowed before cancelling an elective surgery
2.8 mEq/L
44
What does insulin do to potassium?
Drives potassium intracellularly and DECREASES plasma K+ concentration
45
What do beta agonists do to potassium?
Decreases plasma K+ concentration
46
Acidosis leads to (hypokalemia/hyperkalemia)
Hyperkalemia
47
Hypokalemia can lead to (acidosis/alkalosis)
Alkalosis
48
Alkalosis can lead to (hypokalemia/hyperkalemia)
Hypokalemia
49
Hyperkalemia can lead to (acidosis/alkalosis)
Acidosis
50
Etiologies of hyperkalemia
1. Acidosis & beta blockers 2. Succinylcholine 3. RBC transfusions 4. Cell lysis 5. Renal and adrenal insufficiency 6. ACE inhibitors 7. Rewarming following hypothermia
51
What is seen on an EKG with hyperkalemia?
1. Peaked T waves 2. Smaller P amplitude 3. Increased PR interval 4. Widened QRS 5. Eventual sine wave EKG and possible vfib/asystole
52
Symptoms of hyperkalemia
1. EKG changes | 2. Muscular weakness
53
Hyperkalemic treatment pneumonic
CBIGKD (see big kid) 1. Calcium 2. Bicarb 3. Insulin 4. Glucose 5. Kaexylate 6. Diuretic/dialysis
54
Temporary treatments for hyperkalemia
1. Shifting K+ intracellularly | 2. Stabilize myocytes with calcium
55
Insulin rate for treatment of hyperkalemia
5g dextrose per 1 unit of insulin (1 amp dextrose per 5 units of insulin)
56
How long does calcium stabilize myocytes?
15-30 minutes before requiring redose
57
Permanent treatment for hyperkalemia
1. Kaexylate 2. Diuretics 3. Dialysis
58
Hypokalemia etiologies (9)
1. Insulin administration 2. Diuresis/diuretic therapy 3. Sympathetic stimulation/increase in circulating catecholamines 4. Alkalosis 5. Red blood cell transfusions 6. Dialysis 7. GI loss/small bowel obstruction and/or vomiting 8. Hypothermia 9. Hypomagnesemia
59
Hypokalemia EKG
1. T wave flattened or inverted | 2. U waves appear
60
Symptoms of hypokalemia
1. EKG changes | 2. Muscle weakness
61
Hypokalemia treatment
100 mL NS bag with 20 mEq potassium infused with infusion pump
62
Amount of potassium to give with peripheral IV access
8-10 mEq/hr
63
Amount of potassium to give with central line access
20 mEq/hr
64
How much will 20 mEq of potassium increase the plasma level by?
0.25 mEq/L
65
How long will it take to increase the plasma potassium concentration by 1.0 mEq/L
4 hours
66
What should you be cautious of with the treatment of hypokalemia?
1. Avoid dextrose replacement solutions, as insulin will secrete and lower potassium more 2. Avoid aggressive treatment in hypothermia and head trauma
67
Etiologies of hyperchloremia
1. Metabolic acidosis | 2. Excess normal saline administration
68
Etiologies of hypochloremia
1. Bowel obstruction or N/V 2. Diuretic therapy 3. Respiratory acidosis 4. Administration of sodium without chloride (sodium bicarb)
69
Pediatric patients with pyloric stenosis can present with
1. Vomiting, leading to metabolic alkalosis 2. Hypochloremia 3. Hypokalemia
70
Why should LR be avoided in pyloric stenosis?
Lactate is metabolized to bicarb and can worsen the alkalosis
71
What fluid is used in pyloric stenosis?
Normal saline
72
How is pyloric stenosis managed?
Electrolyte disturbances are corrected
73
Why are patients with pyloric stenosis prone to hypoventilation after anesthesia?
Hypoventilation is the normal compensatory response to their metabolic alkalosis
74
Effects of PTH
Decreases bone calcium and increases plasma calcium concentration
75
Effects of calcitonin
Decreases plasma calcium concentration and increases bone calcium
76
Etiologies of hypercalcemia
1. Hyperparathyroidism 2. Acidosis 3. Cancer
77
Possible effects of hypercalcemia (7)
1. Shortened QT interval on EKG 2. Muscular weakness 3. Osmotic diuresis leading to hypovolemia 4. Potentiation of muscle relaxants 5. CNS symptoms 6. Hypomagnesemia 7. Renal stones
78
Treatment for hypercalcemia
1. Treat hypovolemia with normal saline 2. Give loop diuretic 3. Calcitonin 4. Dialysis 5. Avoid acidosis
79
Etiologies of hypocalcemia
1. Hypoparathyroidism 2. Hypermagnesemia 3. Vitamin D deficiency 4. Renal failure
80
Effects of hypocalcemia
1. Prolonged QT interval on the EKG 2. Hyperreflexia and muscular tetany (laryngeal stridor, masseter spasm, laryngospasm) 3. Muscle weakness and potentiation of muscle relaxants 4. CNS symptoms
81
Treatment for hypocalcemia
IV calcium chloride or calcium gluconate
82
Etiologies of hypermagnesemia
Renal failure (rare, caused by medication or health care provider)
83
Possible effects of hypermagnesemia
1. EKG may resemble hyperkalemia (shortened QT interval, prolonged PR interval, T wave abnormalities) 2. Muscular hyporeflexia and weakness 3. Potentiation of nondepolarizing muscle relaxants 4. Hypocalcemia can occur 5. CNS symptoms 6. Hypotension
84
Treatment for hypermagnesemia
1. IV calcium chloride 2. Loop diuretic 3. Volume expansion 4. Potential dialysis
85
Etiologies of hypomagnesemia
1. Decreased GI absorption 2. Increased renal loss 3. Hypercalcemia
86
Possible effects of hypomagnesemia
1. EKG findings?? 2. Muscular weakness and potentiation of muscle relaxants 3. CNS symptoms 4. Hypokalemia
87
Treatment for hypomagnesemia
1-2 g magnesium sulfate over 10 minutes
88
Electrolyte abnormalities that can cause hyperreflexia AND possible weakness
1. Hypernatremia | 2. Hypocalcemia
89
Electrolyte abnormalities that cause muscle weakness
1. Hyponatremia 2. Hyperkalemia 3. Hypokalemia 4. Hypercalcemia 5. Hypomagnesemia
90
Electrolyte abnormalities that cause HYPOreflexia and weakness
1. Hypermagnesemia
91
Electrolyte abnormalities that potentiate muscle relaxants
1. Hypernatremia 2. Hypokalemia 3. Hypercalcemia 4. Hypocalcemia 5. Hypermagnesemia 6. Hypomagnesemia
92
Electrolyte abnormalities that cause hypovolemia
1. Hypercalcemia
93
Electrolyte abnormalities that can occur with hypovolemia
Hyper and hyponatremia
94
Electrolyte abnormalities that can cause hypotension
1. hyperkalemia 2. Hypocalcemia 3. Hypermagnesemia 4. Hypomagnesemia
95
Electrolyte abnormalities that can cause hypertension
1. Hypercalcemia
96
Electrolyte abnormalities that can cause CNS symptoms
1. Hypernatremia 2. Hyponatremia 3. Hypercalcemia 4. Hypocalcemia 5. Hypermagnesemia 6. Hypomagnesemia

Methods of Anesthesia (20 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions