Fluid & Electrolytes Flashcards
(77 cards)
Hypovolemia
Signs/symptoms
Acute weight loss
Poor skin turgor
Concentrated urine
Low BP
High HR
Dizziness, weakness, confusion
Cool clammy skin
Hypovolemia
Treatment
Treat cause
Isotonic IV fluid administration
Monitor vital signs (BP and HR)
Skin assessments
I+O
Dehydration vs hypovolemia
Hypovolemia means electrolyte and water loss in the same ratio
Dehydration may have elevated sodium
Hypervolemia
Signs/symptoms
Edema
Distended neckveins
SOB
Crackles in lungs
Acute weight gain
High BP
Bounding pulse
Increased urine output
Hypervolemia
Treatment
Diuretics
Restricted dietary sodium
Dialysis for kidney failure
Monitor I+O and vital signs (BP and HR)
Respiratory, cardiac, and skin assessments
Hypervolemia
Causes
Retention of water and sodium in extracellular space
Kidney failure
Heart failure
General functions of electrolytes
-Contraction of muscle
-Sending nerve impulses
-Creating bones
-Maintaining acid-base balance
-Balancing fluids in body
What two hormones have the biggest effect on fluid & electrolytes?
Aldosterone
ADH
What are the main functions of sodium in the body?
-Regulates water in and out of the cell
-Muscle contraction
-Nerve impulses
Main causes of hyponatremia
-Low consumption
-Diuretics - especially thiazides
-Vomiting, GI suction
-Diarrhea, sweating
-Addison’s disease (low aldosterone)
-SIADH (Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone)
What are the signs and symptoms of hyponatremia?
SALT LOSS
Seizures & stupor
Abdominal cramping
Lethargic
Tendon reflexes diminished, trouble concentrating
Loss of appetite
Orthostatic hypotension, Overactive bowel sounds
Spasms of muscles
Shallow respirations (late)
What causes hypernatremia?
-Consumption is high (e.g. hypertonic solutions) or consumption of water is low (or water is lost [e.g. burns, diabetes insipidus])
-Corticosteroids
-Cushing’s (high cortisol)
-Conn’s Syndrome (high aldosterone)
What are the signs & symptoms of hypernatremia?
FRIED
Fatigue
Restless agitation
Increased reflexes (seizure/coma)
Extreme thirst
Decreased urine output, dry mouth/skin
Signs of dehydration
Increased HR
Decreased BP
Fever
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Lethargic
What are the main causes of hypokalemia?
-Loop diuretics
-Corticosteroids
-Insulin
-Cushing’s (high cortisol)
-Starvation
-Metabolic alkalosis
-Vomiting, diarrhea
What affect does Cushing’s have on sodium and potassium?
Increases cortisol
Increases sodium
Decreases potassium
If you have a high sodium level, you probably have a _____ potassium level
LOW
If you have a high potassium level, you probably have a ____ sodium level
LOW
Signs and symptoms of hypokalemia
muscle weakness
Ventricular asystole or fibrillation
EKG: T wave inversion, ST depression, prominent U wave
Seven L’s
Lethargic
Low, shallow respirations
Lethal cardiac dysrhythmias
Lots of urine
Leg cramps
Limp muscles
Low BP & HR
Causes of hyperkalemia
-Burns, tissue damage such as in rhabdomylosis (breakdown of muscle)
-Addison’s disease (decreased aldosterone)
-Renal failure
-Meds: potassium-sparing diuretics (like spironolactone), ACE inhibitors, NSAIDs
Signs and symptoms of hyperkalemia
Muscle weakness, cramps
Decreased Urine Output
Dysrhythmias
What 3 hormones are most important in regulating calcium?
Vitamin D
PTH
Calcitonin
What are the causes of hypocalcemia?
-Decreased PTH (thyroidectomy)
-Decreased intake (lactose intolerant)
-Low vitamin D
-CKD
-Bisphosophonates
-Aminoglycosides (“mycin” - cause kidneys to waste calcium)
-Anticonvulsants that affect Vitamin D (phenobarbital, phenytoin)
-Malabsorption
Bisphosphonates:
Use & Mechanism
-Osteoporosis
-Slow down the ability of the bones to release calcium into the blood