Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Critical Care > Electrolyte Disturbances > Flashcards

Electrolyte Disturbances Flashcards

(71 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

what ECG abnormalities are seen with hyperkalemia?

A
  • peaked T wave
  • flat P wave
  • prolonged PR interval
  • Wide QRS
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia can occur together d/t what?

A

impaired renal absorption

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

How is hypermagnesemia treated?

A
  • calcium gluconate for cardiac issues

- dialysis if severe

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

What are the 3 causes of hypovolemic hyponatremia?

A
  • diuretics
  • cerebral salt wasting
  • Addison’s disease
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What medication can be used to reverse the cardiac adverse effects with hyperkalemia?

A
  • calcium gluconate
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the 3 causes of hypernatremia?

A
  • free water loss
  • loss of water > sodium loss
  • gain of sodium > water
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the 2 main causes of hypercalcemia?

A
  • hyperparathyroidism

- malignancy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How is hypovolemic hypernatremia treated?

A
  • volume resuscitation with IVF

- replace free water deficit

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the effect of hyperkalemia on the heart?

A
  • slows impulse transmission in the heart resulting in possible cardiac arrest
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How is hypokalemia treated?

A

giving back potassium PO or IV

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How is hypervolemic hyponatremia treated?

A
  • fluid restriction + diuretics
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the most common cause of community acquired hypernatremia?

A

hypovolemic hypernatremia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the maximum change of free water deficit that is safe per day?

A

8-12 mEq/L/hr

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

How is euvolemic hypernatremia diagnosed?

A
  • failure of urine osm to increase after fluid restriction
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the treatment for hypervolemic hypernatremia?

A
  • remove source + give diuretics

- AND correct free water deficit

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

What lab findings are diagnostic for euvolemic hyponatremia?

A
  • high urine Osm and high urine Na
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are the 2 causes of hypovolemic hypernatremia?

A
  • excessive diuresis

- sweating, diarrhea, hypodipsia

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

What are the 3 causes of hypervolemic hyponatremia?

A
  • Heart failure (low urine Na)
  • Cirrhosis (low urine Na)
  • Renal failure (high urine Na)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

How is refeeding syndrome treated?

A

electrolyte repletion and careful monitoring

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How is euvolemic hypernatremia treated for patients without central DI vs. with central DI?

A
  • no CDI = replace free water deficit

- CDI = replace free water deficit + DDAVP

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

This is a potentially fatal shift in fluids + electrolytes that may occur in malnourished patients receiving enteral/parenteral feeds.

A

refeeding syndrome

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

Encephalopathy, headache, nausea, vomiting, seizures are all consistent with what electrolyte disturbance?

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

What medication can be given to temporarily treat hyperkalemia d/t a transcellular shift?

A
  • insulin

- AND dextrose (to prevent hypoglycemia)

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

How fast should you treat symptomatic severe hypovolemic hyponatremia?

A

4-6 mEq/L in the first 1-2 hours to reach 120 mEq/L

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What are the 4 causes of hyperkalemia d/t a transcellular shift?
- acidosis - DKA - tumor lysis syndrome/rhabdo - Drugs (e.g. digitalis)
26
What is the main cause of euvolemic hyponatremia?
SIADH
27
How is hypocalcemia treated?
- CaCl | - OR calcium gluconate
28
How do you measure plasma osmolality?
= (2 x Na+) + (Glucose/18) + BUN/2.8)
29
What is the difference between central vs. nephrogenic DI?
- central DI = no ADH release | - Nephrogenic DI = poor renal response to ADH
30
What is the normal range for potassium?
3.5-5.0 mEq/L
31
What is the normal range for sodium?
135-145
32
What is the main cause of euvolemic hypernatremia?
- diabetes insipidus
33
The majority of potassium is excreted how?
through urine
34
Bone pain, kidney stones, constipation, depressed mood are all consistent with what electrolyte abnormality?
- hypercalcemia
35
What medication blocks aldosterone via competitive binding of receptors?
- spironolactone
36
What drugs are known to cause hypomagnesemia?
- diuretics
37
What is the hallmark sign of refeeding syndrome?
hypophosphatemia
38
What fluid should be used to correct free water deficit? How fast should this be done?
- pure water via gut OR D5W IV | - no faster than 0.5 mEq/L/hr
39
How is hypomagnesemia treated?
2g MgSO4 IV over 2-5 min
40
How is hyperphosphatemia treated?
- phosphate binders in GI tract (e.g. sucralfate) - calcium acetate tablets IF hypocalcemia - OR dialysis
41
what ECG abnormalities are seen with hypokalemia?
- U waves - T wave flattening or TWI - QT prolongation
42
What are the 3 causes of hyperkalemia d/t impaired excretion?
- renal failure - addison's disease - HTN drugs/ NSAIDs
43
First degree AV block can happen with this electrolyte disturbance.
- Hypermagnesemia
44
If a patient has hypovolemic hyponatremia and is symptomatic ( Na <120) what is the treatment?
- hypertonic saline (3%) | * to reduce cerebral edema
45
What are the 5 causes of hypokalemia d/t a total body loss?
- diuretics - hypomagnesemia - large NG drainage - diarrhea - cushing syndrome
46
What hormone stimulates K+ secretion in distal nephron?
- Aldosterone
47
Thirst, AMS, seizures, hyperreflexia, lethargy. These clinical features are consistent with what electrolyte disturbance?
- hypernatremia
48
In what 2 conditions might you see pseudohyperkalemia?
- hemolysis during blood draw - severe leukocytosis/thrombocytosis *repeat lab draw!!
49
What are 4 causes of pseudohyponatremia?
- high triglycerides (>1500 mg/dL) - high protein level - profound hyperglycemia - exogenous osmoles (e.g. mannitol, contrast dye)
50
What are the 5 indications for renal replacement therapy (RRT)?
- acidosis - electrolyte imbalances - intoxicants (lithium, ASA, etc.) - overload (fluid) - uremia
51
What % of patients with acute renal failure in ICU will require RRT?
70%
52
How is hypercalcemia treated?
- IVF - AND glucocorticoids/ bisphosphonates - OR dialysis
53
How is hypovolemic hyponatremia treated?
- isotonic fluid administration - IF taking diuretics = STOP - IF adrenal insufficiency = fludrocortisone
54
What is the risk of correcting the free water deficit too fast?
- brain swelling
55
Blood transfusions and Heparin administration can cause this electrolyte disturbance.
- hypocalcemia
56
What are the 4 causes of hypokalemia d/t a transcellular shift?
- B2 agonism (albuterol) - Insulin - Alkalosis - Hypothermia
57
How is hypophosphatemia treated?
give back phosphorus (NaPO4 or KPO4)
58
Chvostek's and Trousseau's sign are consistent with this electrolyte disturbance.
- hypocalcemia
59
How is euvolemic hyponatremia treated?
- fluid restriction and treat underlying cause
60
What ECG changes are seen with hypocalcemia?
- prolonged QTc interval via ST prolongation
61
What is the formula to correct hyperosmotic hyponatremia d/t hyperglycemia?
increase Na+ by 1.6 mEq for every 100 mg/dL of glucose over 100 mg/dL
62
What is the normal range for total calcium on BMP (ionized + bound)?
9-10 mg/dL
63
Muscle weakness, constipation, palpitations, and fatigue are all clinical symptoms of what electrolyte disturbance?
- hypokalemia
64
What is the normal level of magnesium?
2.0 mg/dL
65
What is the most common cause of hypophosphatemia?
- intracellular shift d/t refeeding syndrome
66
Respiratory muscle weakness, low cardiac output, and hemolytic anemia is consistent with what electrolyte disturbance?
- hypophosphatemia
67
What are the 3 common causes of hypervolemic hypernatremia?
- Sodium bicarbonate infusions - aggressive hypertonic saline for high ICP - excessive salt ingestion
68
What drugs can be used to remove excess K+ from the body in the setting of hyperkalemia? (2 options)
- Kayexalate | - Veltassa
69
What is the normal range for phosphorus?
2.5-5 mg/dL
70
What ECG abnormalities are seen with hypomagnesemia?
- torsades de pointes
71
What are the 3 goals of hyperkalemia treatment?
- reverse cardiac adverse effects - transcellular shift into cells - remove excess K+ from body

Critical Care (8 decks)

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