Electrolyte Imbalance Flashcards
(50 cards)
1
Q
Sodium (Na+) Range
A
136 - 145 mEq/L
2
Q
Sodium Facts
A
Most Abundant Cation in ECF
Essential for nerve impulse transmission/muscle contraction
3
Q
Hyponatremia Causes
A
<136
- Fluid Overload
- Psychogenic polydipsia (too much thirst)
- Adrenal Insufficiency (Adrenals secrete Aldosterone)
- SIADH
- Diuretic Therapy
- Liver Disease
4
Q
Hyponatremia S/S
A
- Headache (CNS problems)
- Nausea; diarrhea, abdominal cramps
- Tachycardia; hypotension
- muscle weakness
- dry skin; pale dry mucous membranes
5
Q
Treatments for Hyponatremia
A
- IV of 0.9% NS
- Hypertonic saline given with dangerously low Na+ levels.
- No free water intake
6
Q
Hypernatremia Causes
A
> 145
- dehydration
- greatly increased sensible water loss
- severe watery diarrhea
- Insufficient ADH
- Kidney disease
- Excess secretion of aldosterone
7
Q
Hypernatremia S/S
A
S- skin flushed A- agitation L- low fever T- thirst D- Dry sticky mucous membrance; oliguria
8
Q
Treatmentment for Hypernatremia
A
- Hypotonic saline solution such as 0.45% NS
- Diuretics
- Na+ resrictions
9
Q
Potassium Range
A
3.5 - 5.0 mEq/L
10
Q
Potassium Facts
A
- Most abundant Cation in ICF
- Responsible for regular heart rhythm
- Aids in protein synthesis
- Aids in conversion of glucose to energy
- Regulation of Acid-base balance
- conduction of neuromuscular impulses.
11
Q
Foods high in potassium
A
bananas, meat, potatoes, citrus fruits, avacados
12
Q
Foods low in potassium
A
Eggs, Bread and Cereal grains
13
Q
Hypokalemia Causes
A
<3.5
- fluid overload
- diuretic therapy
- GI losses (vomiting or NG suction)
- Insufficient GI absorption
- Abnormal losses of secretions or excretions.
14
Q
Hypokalemia S/S
A
S-skeletal muscle weakness U- U wave;EKG changes C- constipation; ileus; decreased bowel sounds T-toxic effects of digoxin I-Irregular, weak pulse O-orthostatic hypotension N- numbness(paresthesia)
15
Q
Treatment of Hypokalemia
A
- Increase in potassium in diet
- Administer potassium (oral/IV)
16
Q
Hyperkalemia Causes
A
> 5
- dehydration
- kidney disease
- acidosid
- adrenal insufficiency
- massive crushing injuries
17
Q
Hyperkalemia S/S
A
- Early symptoms are not specific
- First tachycardia, later bradycardia
- Tall, peaked T wave on EKG
- Risk for cardiac arrest
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea, diahrrea
- paresthesia of face, tongue, and extremities
18
Q
Treatment of Hyperkalemia
A
- Avoid K+ intake
- Give kayexalate
- Give lasix
- If acute, hive hypertonic IV solutions of D5 of D1/4 with IV regular insulin
- In severe cases Ca++ to stimulate heart
19
Q
Calcium (Ca++) Range
A
9.0 - 10.5 mEq/L
20
Q
Calcium Facts
A
- 99% stored in bone
- 0.5% bound with protein in plasma
- regulates cell permeability to Na+ and K+
- Important for transmission of nerve impulses
- Contraction of muscle tissue, maintain normal heart rhythm
- blood clotting process
- absorption and utilization of B12
- Levels regulated by PTH
21
Q
Hypocalcemia Causes
A
<9.0
- Removal of parathyroid glands
- Increased loss of intestinal secretions
22
Q
Hypocalcemia S/S
A
- Neuromuscular irritability
- Carpopedal spasms (Trousseaus Sign)
- Facial twitches (chvostek’s sign)
- EKG changes, Heart failure
23
Q
Treatment of Hypocalcemia
A
- Adjust diet
- Oral or IV calcium
- Vitamin D oral or IM
24
Q
Hypercalcemia Causes
A
> 10.5
- Parathyroid tumor
- Excessive vitamin D administration
- Multiple fractures
- Prolonged immobilization or bed rest
25
Hypercalcemia S/S
- fatigue, lethargy
- decreased muscle tone/weakness
- deep bone pain, kidney stones, confusion
- N/V, thirst, constipation
26
Treatment of Hypercalcemia
-IV fluids to dilute Ca++, Lasix to force diuresis
27
Magnesium (Mg++) Range
1.3 - 2.1 mEq/L
28
Magnesium Facts
- Found in ICF
- regulated by parathyroid glands
- essential for enzyme activities, neurochemical activities, muscular excitability
29
Hypomagnesemia causes
<1.3
- Inadequate intake, excessive loss
- Inadequate absorption
- Hypoparathyroidism
30
Hypomagnesemia S/S
- weakness, tremors, muscle cramps
- N/V, esophageal spasms
- hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
- confusion; tachycardia, HTN
31
Treatment of Hypomagnesemia
Dietary replacement, antacids, IV or Im. Oral may cause diarrhea
32
Hypermagnesemia Causes
>2.1
- Renal insufficiency
- Severe dehydration with oliguria
- Magnesium based laxatives/cathartics (eg.MOM)
33
Hypermagnesemia S/S
- Depressed deep tendon reflexes
- Depressed respirations, hypotension
- Sense of warmth
34
Treatment of Hypermagnesemia
Correct underlying cause, Dialysis may be necessary.
35
Chloride (Cl-) Range
98 - 106 mEq/L
36
Chloride Facts
- Major anion in ECF
- Componenet of hydrochloric acid
- Role of transport of carbon dioxide by RBCs
- Excreted by kidney
- Affected by aldosterone secretion
- Sodium and chloride are closely linked; a change in level of one causes a change in level of the other
37
Hypochloremia Causes
<98 mEq/L
- Fluid overload
- Excessive vomiting, diarrhea
- Lost with Na+ in diuretic therapy
38
Hypochloremia S/S
Same as hyponatremia
39
Treatment of Hypochloremia
IV replacement
40
Hyperchloremia Causes
>106 mEq/L
- will occur with hypernatremia
- Metabolic acidosis
- Respiratory alkalosis
- Hyperalsodteronism
41
Hyperchloremia S/S
- Lethargy, weakness, confusion, stupor
- Deep, labored respiration
- Associated with acid-base imbalance
42
Treatment of hyperchloremia
IV sodium bicarbonate to reverse acidosis
43
Phosphate (PO4) Range
3.0 - 4.5 mg/dL
44
Phosphate facts
- levels vary inversely with Ca++ levels
- parathyroid hormone inhibits absorption
- promotes normal neuromuscular action
- carbohyrate metabolism
- assists in acid-base regulation
- blood buffer!
45
Hypophosphatemia Causes
<3.0
- Inadequate intake
- poor absorption
- loss by diuretics
- hyperparathyroidism
46
Hypophosphatemia S/S
Same as hypercalcemia
47
Treatment of Hypophosphatemia
- Oral sodium phosphates and potassium phosphates
| - dietary intake
48
Hyperphosphatemia Causes
>4.5
- Renal failure
- hypoparathyroidism
49
Hyperphosphatemia S/S
Same as hypocalcemia
50
Treatment of Hyperphosphatemia
- Dietary restriction
- Administering phosphate binding agent (PhosL0)
* all on for dialysis.
