Electrolyte Imbalances Flashcards
1
Q
Hyponatremia Causes
A
- loss from excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea
- Use of diuretic drugs combine w/ low salt intake
- Hormonal imbalance: excessive ADH secretions (retain water, decrease Na) OR insufficient Aldosterone (reabsorption of Na)
- Chronic kidney failure (reabsorption impaired)
- Excessive water intake (dilutes Na)
2
Q
Hyponatremia Effects
A
*impaired nerve conduction
fluid imbalance in compartments - fatigue, muscle cramps, abdominal discomfort/cramps, nausea, vomiting
*decreased osmotic pressure in ECF - fluid shifts into cells (cuase hypovolemia, decrease BP, swelling of cells)
3
Q
Hypernatremia Causes
A
- insufficient ADH (decreased absorption of water)
- loss of thirst mechanism
- watery diarrhea
- ingestion of large amounts of Na w/o enough water
- prolong periods of rapid respiration (lose H2O through respiration)
4
Q
Hyponatremia
A
- sodium level drops below normal in PLASMA
- develops when total body water content increases relatively to sodium content
- direct loss of sodium from the body - H2O stays the same
- excess of water in ECF - dilute sodium
5
Q
Hypernatremia Effects
A
- fluid shift out of cells
- Edema
- Weakness, agitation
- dry, rough tongue and mucous membranes
- increased thirst (if intact) - b/c increased viscosity of blood
- firm cutaneous tissue
- increased blood pressure
6
Q
Hyperkalemia Causes
A
- renal failure - not enough K secreted
- deficit of aldosterone
- K sparing diuretics- lose H2O, K stays in blood
- leakage of intracellular K into extracellular fluids (in patients with extensive tissue damage)
- displacement of K from cells by prolonged or severe acidosis
7
Q
Hyperkalemia Effects
A
- cardiac dysrhythmias - may progress to cardiac arrest
- muscle weakness - impaires neuromuscular activity, progresses to paralysis
- may cause respiratory arrest
- fatigue
- nausea
- Paraesthesias
8
Q
Hypokalemia Causes
A
- excessive losses due to diarrhea
- diuresis associated w/ some diuretic drugs
- excessive aldosterone or glugocorticoids (acts similarly to aldosterone)
- decreased dietary intake (alcoholism, eating disorder, starvation)
- treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis w/ insulin
9
Q
Hypokalemia Effects
A
- cardiac dysrhythmias - impaired repolariztion –> cardiac arrest
- interference w/ neuromuscular function - skeletal m (hyperpolarized) less responsive to stimuli, fatigue, m. weakness
- decreased digestive tract motility - constipation, anorexia, nausea
- Paresthesias (abnormal sensations) - pins and needles
10
Q
Hypocalcemia Causes
A
- hypoparathyroidism: parathyroid gland is deficient - under producing PTH
- malabsorption syndrome
- deficiency in serum albumin (carrier for Ca in blood)
- renal failure - retention of P, increase in blood, decreases Ca in blood OR vitamin D is not activated
- alkalosis - free Ca2+ binds to albumin - has higher attraction to ionized Ca
11
Q
Hypocalcemia Effects
A
- heart muscle: decreased activation. weak heart contraction, arrhythmias, decreased BP
- Skeletal muscle: increased activation- increase in excitability, spontaneous stimulation of skeletal m. –>tetany- may lead to respiratory failure and death
12
Q
Chvosteks’s Sign
A
- sign of hypocalcemia
* sapsm of lip or face when face is tapped in front of the ear
13
Q
Trousseaus sign
A
- sign of hypocalcemia
* atypical contraction of the fingers (carpopedal spasm) when a blood pressure cuff blocks circulation to the hand
14
Q
Hypercalcemia Causes
A
- uncontrolled release of Ca ions from bones - bone tumors
- demineralization due to immobility - decrease stress on bone
- hyperparathyroidism
- increased Ca intake
15
Q
Hypercalcemia Effects
A
- increase strength in cardiac contractions - arrhythmias may occur
- depressed neuromuscular activity - m. weakness, loss of tone, lethargy, stupor, personality cahnges, anorexia, nausea
- reneal effects - kidney stones, reduction of renal blood flow - decrease in renal function - waste accumulation
