Electrolytes Flashcards
What are electrolytes?
Mineral ions (cations, anions) found in circulating blood
What are the functions of electrolytes?
- Maintenance of water balance
- Nervous function
- Muscular function
Potassium
What does it do in the body?
Important in maintaining normal neuromuscular function
What causes Hypokalemia?
- chronic renal failure
- occurs with vomiting and loss of fluid
Calcium
What does it do in the body?
Important in muscular function
What does Hypocalcemia cause?
eclampsia/puerperal tetany
puerperal = delivery
Phosphorous
What does it do in the body?
Important in energy storage, part of normal cell membrane
What causes Hyperphosphatemia?
seen in chronic renal failure
Sodium
What does it do in the body
important for water balance
What causes Hyponatremia?
- loss of fluid
- occurs with vomiting and diarrhea
Chloride
What does it do in the body?
Important in water balance
What occurs with Hypochloremia?
occurs with vomiting
Magnesium
What does it do in the body?
- Important for neuromuscular function
2. Enzyme activator
What does Hypomagnesemia cause?
- grass tetany
- A disease of livestock caused by magnesium deficiencies
