Fluids & Electrolytes

Question 1

What is the official name for low sodium?

Answer 1

Hyponatremia

Question 2

What is the normal electrolyte range for sodium?

Answer 2

135-145 mEq/L

Question 3

What are some causes of hyponatremia?

Answer 3

Excessive diaphoresis, diuretics, inadequate sodium intake, excessive water intake, burns, hormone imbalances, intense physical activity, vomiting/diarrhea, alcohol consumption.

Question 4

What are key features of hyponatremia?

Answer 4

Behavioral changes, confusion, seizures/comas, muscle weakness, nausea/vomiting, abdominal cramping, hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, lightheadedness, dizziness.

Question 5

What are the nursing management interventions for hyponatremia?

Answer 5

Take patient history, review cardiovascular and respiratory changes, monitor neurologic changes, weigh daily, measure intake and outputs, ensure skin integrity, provide hydration, monitor therapies, prevent hypernatremia.

Question 6

What medical management may be used for hyponatremia?

Answer 6

Diuretics for fluid overload, reduce sodium-losing medications( diuretics, antidepressants, antibiotics, etc) , IV saline infusions, oral sodium intake, restrict oral fluids.

Question 7

What is the official name for high sodium?

Answer 7

Hypernatremia

Question 8

What is the electrolyte range for hypernatremia?

Answer 8

Greater than 145 mEq/L

Question 9

What are some causes of hypernatremia?

Answer 9

High sodium diet, kidney failure, corticosteroids, excessive sodium IV fluids, dehydration, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, respiratory infection.

Question 10

What are key features of hypernatremia?

Answer 10

Confusion, lethargy, comatose, weakness, tachycardia, hypotension, distended neck veins, seizures, extreme thirst.

Question 11

What are the nursing management interventions for hypernatremia?

Answer 11

Fluid replacement, encourage fluid intake, measure intake and outputs, monitor temperature, skin turgor, blood pressure/heart rate, daily weight.

Question 12

What medical management may be used for hypernatremia?

Answer 12

Hypotonic solutions, diuretics, monitor serum sodium and drug levels.

Question 13

What is the official name for low potassium?

Answer 13

Hypokalemia

Question 14

What is the electrolyte range for hypokalemia?

Answer 14

Less than 3.5 mEq/L

Question 15

What are some causes of hypokalemia?

Answer 15

Inappropriate drug use, diuretics, diarrhea, vomiting, prolonged nasogastric suction, kidney disease.

Question 16

What are key features of hypokalemia?

Answer 16

Shallow respirations, muscle weakness, irregular pulse, orthostatic blood pressure, dysrhythmias, altered mental status, nausea/vomiting, constipation.

Question 17

What are the nursing management interventions for hypokalemia?

Answer 17

Monitor vital signs, educate on proper diet, ensure adequate potassium intake, monitor intake and outputs, monitor ECG if necessary.

Question 18

What medical management may be used for hypokalemia?

Answer 18

Potassium replacement (oral or IV), monitor labs for excessive potassium increase.

Question 19

What is the official name for high potassium?

Answer 19

Hyperkalemia

Question 20

What is the electrolyte range for hyperkalemia?

Answer 20

Greater than 5.0 mEq/L

Question 21

What are some causes of hyperkalemia?

Answer 21

Kidney failure, potassium-sparing diuretics, bolus IV potassium injections, overinjection of potassium.

Question 22

What are key features of hyperkalemia?

Answer 22

Irregular pulse, bradycardia, EKG changes, peaked T waves, widening of QRS, muscle weakness, tingling in limbs, abdominal cramping, diarrhea.

Question 23

What are the nursing management interventions for hyperkalemia?

Answer 23

Monitor vital signs, cardiac rhythm, administer medications to lower potassium levels, limit high potassium foods.

Question 24

What medical management may be used for hyperkalemia?

Answer 24

Diuretics to increase potassium excretion, discontinue medications causing the problem, potassium binders, monitor ECG changes.

Question 25

What is the official name for low magnesium?

Answer 25

Hypomagnesemia

Question 26

What is the electrolyte range for hypomagnesemia?

Answer 26

Less than 1.8 mEq/L

Question 27

What are some causes of hypomagnesemia?

Answer 27

Kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, malabsorption/malnutrition, diuretic therapy, ethanol ingestion, diarrhea.

Question 28

What are key features of hypomagnesemia?

Answer 28

Increased heart rate and blood pressure, dysrhythmias, hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, muscle cramps, Chvostek/Trousseau signs, seizures, anorexia, nausea, constipation.

Question 29

What are the nursing management interventions for hypomagnesemia?

Answer 29

Monitor magnesium levels, check neuromuscular function, cardiovascular status, evaluate GI function, assess mental status, seizure precautions.

Question 30

What medical management may be used for hypomagnesemia?

Answer 30

Magnesium sulfate (IV), oral magnesium supplements, adequate fluid intake, discontinue medications causing the problem.

Question 31

What is the official name for high magnesium?

Answer 31

Hypermagnesemia

Question 32

What is the electrolyte range for hypermagnesemia?

Answer 32

Greater than 2.6 mEq/L

Question 33

What are some causes of hypermagnesemia?

Answer 33

IV magnesium replacement, magnesium-containing antacids/laxatives, decreased kidney excretion.

Question 34

What are key features of hypermagnesemia?

Answer 34

Decreased heart rate and blood pressure, cardiac arrest, drowsiness, lethargy, low or absent deep tendon reflexes.

Question 35

What are the nursing management interventions for hypermagnesemia?

Answer 35

Discontinue medications increasing magnesium levels, decrease intake of magnesium-rich foods, increase fluid intake, monitor respirations and deep tendon reflexes.

Question 36

What medical management may be used for hypermagnesemia?

Answer 36

Calcium gluconate IV for temporary reversal, increase diuretics to help excrete magnesium, hold magnesium medications, monitor levels, dialysis in severe cases.

Question 37

What is the official name for low calcium?

Answer 37

Hypocalcemia

Question 38

What is the electrolyte range for hypocalcemia?

Answer 38

Less than 9.0 mg/dL

Question 39

What are some causes of hypocalcemia?

Answer 39

Inadequate oral intake of calcium and vitamin D, lactose intolerance, end-stage kidney disease, diarrhea.

Question 40

What are key features of hypocalcemia?

Answer 40

Numbness and tingling in extremities, Trousseau’s sign, Chvostek’s sign, bradycardia/tachycardia, abdominal cramping, hyperactive bowel sounds, bone pain.

Question 41

What are the nursing management interventions for hypocalcemia?

Answer 41

Monitor ECG for arrhythmias, seizure precautions, monitor mental status, dietary education, monitor calcium levels.

Question 42

What medical management may be used for hypocalcemia?

Answer 42

Calcium and vitamin D supplements.

Question 43

What is the official name for high calcium?

Answer 43

Hypercalcemia

Question 44

What is the electrolyte range for hypercalcemia?

Answer 44

Greater than 10.5 mg/dL

Question 45

What are some causes of hypercalcemia?

Answer 45

Overactive thyroid glands, dehydration, excessive oral intake of calcium, excessive oral intake of vitamin D, kidney disease, use of thiazide diuretics.

Question 46

What are key features of hypercalcemia?

Answer 46

Bone pain, increased heart rate and blood pressure, muscle weakness, increased thirst, increased urination, digestive symptoms, anorexia, nausea, abdominal distention, mental changes, headaches.

Question 47

What are the nursing management interventions for hypercalcemia?

Answer 47

Monitor calcium levels, lifestyle changes, assess for slowed or impaired perfusion, assess abdominal size.

Question 48

What medical management may be used for hypercalcemia?

Answer 48

Calcitonin, loop diuretics, bisphosphonates, IV fluids, prednisone, cardiac monitoring.