electrolytes

Question 1

whats Na important for

and normal level

Answer 1

Plasma/blood volume & pressure
Acid-base balance
Cell transportation
Neuronal signaling
Participation in chemical reactions

135-145

Question 2

whats hypernatremia and causes

Answer 2

Hypernatremia - Na+ greater than 145
Causes - loss of thirst reflex, urination from ADH, high respiration rate, diarrhea —> loss of water
Too much aldosterone - to much sodium

Question 3

s/s of hypernatremia

Answer 3

Increased thirst (polydipsia)
fever
Dry mucous membranes
CNS symptoms of cellular dysfunction, including: lethargy, irritability, muscle twitching/convulsions, hyperreflexia seizures and possibly coma
more sodium more nervous activity

Question 4

treatment of hypernatremia

Answer 4

low sodium IV fluids

Question 5

whats hyponatremia and causes

Answer 5

Hyponatremia - Na+ less than 135
Causes: marathon runners replacing with only water, vomiting excessive, too much ADH (pulling in water but not sodium). Diuretics (frusemide), Anuria - end stage kidney disease (cannot produce urine)

Question 6

hyponatremia s/s

Answer 6

Muscle twitching & weakness
Hypervolemia & oedema (with increased water gain)
hypotension, tachycardia & decreased urine output (with pure sodium loss)
CNS symptoms of cell dysfunction: lethargy, confusion, depressed reflexes (hypoflexia), seizures, coma

Question 7

treatment hyponatremia

Answer 7

dont give salt, fluids

Question 8

normal K level and what it does

Answer 8

3.5-5 in ICF
runs your nerves and muscles

Question 9

hyperkalemia and causes

Answer 9

increase in K level in blood

Increased intake (rarely dietary)
Shift from ICF to ECF (can occur as a result of cell damage, e.g. trauma, burns, hypoxia or acidosis in which H+ ions move into cells in exchange for K+ ions)
Decreased renal excretion (AKI) (e.g. with a rapid increase in potassium levels, in response to particular drugs or in renal failure with reduced urinary output)

Question 10

hyperkalemia s/s

Answer 10

Muscle weakness, cramps, paralysis
Fatigue
Decreased GI motility
Arrhythmias
ECG changes
Bradycardia, cardiac arrest

s/s - skeletal muscle - twitching/spasm
Cardiac muscle - ventricular fibrillation –> cardiac arrest
Smooth muscle – diarrhea

Question 11

hypokalemia and causes

Answer 11

Too little potassium (K+) in the blood can occur for the following reasons:

Reduced dietary intake (e.g. in elderly, with anorexia nervosa)
Increased entry of K+ into cells (e.g. with alkalosis potassium is exchanged for H+ ions)
Increased loss of K+ from body/increased renal secretion (e.g. with renal diseases, excess aldosterone, certain diuretics or other drugs, alkalosis, diarrhea/vomiting, decreased magnesium)

Question 12

hypokalemia s/s

Answer 12

Muscle weakness, cramps, paralysis
Arrythmias
ECG changes
Cardiac arrest
Hypotension
Respiratory depression (associated with muscular weakness)
Decreased GI motility

s/s - skeletal muscle – weakness –> paralysis
Cardiac muscle – bradycardia –> heart block
Smooth muscle – constipation –> Ileus

Question 13

K levels with muscles

Answer 13

Less k+ –> less muscle
More K+ –> more muscle

Question 14

Ca levels with nerves

Answer 14

less calcium = more nerves
More calcium = less nerves

Question 15

hypocalcemia and causes

Answer 15

low Ca in blood. lack of vitamin d and calcium

Question 16

hypocalcemia s/s

Answer 16

s/s - tetany (sustained skeletal muscle contraction)

Question 17

hypocalcemia treatment

Answer 17

give vit d and calcium

Question 18

hypercalcemia and causes

Answer 18

high Ca in blood
Myeloma breaks down the bone: releases calcium

Question 19

hypercalcemia s/s

Answer 19

renal calculi

Question 20

hypercalciumia treatment

Answer 20

iv fluids with diuretics