Main Functions

Question 1

Fluid balance + neuromuscular activity

Answer 1

Sodium

Question 2

Depolarization + acid/base balance

Answer 2

Potassium

Question 3

Electrophysiology of heart and smooth muscles + membrane stability

Answer 3

Calcium

Question 4

Cell membrane structure + ATP formation

Answer 4

Phosphate

Question 5

Acid/base balance + oxygen delivery to tissues

Answer 5

Phosphate

Question 6

Na/k transport + neuromuscular activity

Answer 6

Magnesium

Question 7

Protein/DNA synthesis + ATP production

Answer 7

Magnesium

Question 8

Maintenance of serum osmolality/water balance + acid/base balance

Answer 8

Chloride

Question 9

Regulated by kidneys, influenced by adrenal glands, ADH and atrial natriuretic peptide

Answer 9

Sodium

Question 10

Moved out of cell to ECF by Na/K pump

Answer 10

Sodium

Question 11

headache, confusion, muscle weakness, cramps

Answer 11

Hyponatremia (water excess, water moves into ICF, cells swell + burst)

Question 12

Confusion, irritable, restless, twitching, confusion, thirst, fever

Answer 12

Hypernatremia (water deficit, water moves out of ICF, cells shrivel and collapse)

Question 13

Increase water loss (hypertonic solution at slow rate)

Answer 13

Hyponatremia

Question 14

Slowly replace water loss, limit sodium intake, treat cause and restore fluid balance

Answer 14

Hypernatremia

Question 15

Diffuses out of cell and is actively pumped back into cell

Answer 15

Potassium

Question 16

Excretes renally: kidneys can’t retain is magnesium levels are low

Answer 16

Potassium

Question 17

Influenced by acid/base balance - moves in and out of cell in relation to hydrogen and bicarbonate

Answer 17

Potassium

Question 18

ECG changes (flat/flipped T, ST depression), muscle weakness, fatigue, metabolic alkalosis

Answer 18

Hypokalemia

Question 19

ECG changes (peaked T, wide QRS, ST depression), muscle weakness

Answer 19

Hyperkalemia

Question 20

Replace, resolve contributing acid/base imbalances, consider meds contributing to loss

Answer 20

Hypokalemia

Question 21

Resolve contributing acid/base imbalance, consider meds contributing to retention, promote removal through diuretics, glucose/insulin

Answer 21

Hyperkalemia

Question 22

Dietary influence, mobilized by PTH and decreases renal excretion, calcitonin increases renal excretion, is opposite to phosphate, ionized form is better status of metabolism (levels fall during alkalosis and rise during acidosis)

Answer 22

Calcium

Question 23

Increased cell membrane excitability, CNS changes (anxiety, confusion, irritable), neuromuscular changes (tingling, twitching, cramps), CVS changes (decreased contractility

Answer 23

Hypocalcemia

Question 24

Decreased cell membrane excitability, CNS changes (fatigue, confusion, depression, coma), neuromuscular changes (muscle weakness, decreased tone), ECG changes

Answer 24

Hypercalcemia

Question 25

Correct albumin levels, correct acid-base imbalances, replace losses and increase intake

Answer 25

Hypocalcemia

Question 26

Correct phosphate levels, ensure adequate volume, correct acid-base imbalances, remove excess

Answer 26

Hypercalcemia

Question 27

Absorbed in GI, competes with calcium for absorption, excreted by kidneys, influenced by acid/base balance (moves into cell in alkalosis), follows glucose into cell

Answer 27

Phosphate

Question 28

Signs related to loss of ATP (energy) - weakness, irritability, confusions, poor contractility. Left shift of oxyhemoglobin curve and decreased oxygen transport to tissues

Answer 28

Hypophosphatemia

Question 29

Same signs as hypocalcemia (increased membrane excitability, CNS changes, tingling, twitching, cramps muscle changes)

Answer 29

Hyperphosphatemia

Question 30

Replace losses and increase intake

Answer 30

Hypophosphatemia

Question 31

Optimize calcium levels, limit intake, decrease GI absorption, enhance renal absorption by fluid admin

Answer 31

Hyperphosphatemia

Question 32

Dietary intake, competes with calcium for GI absorption, excreted in feces and kidneys, other intracellular lytes (calcium and potassium) are affected by this level

Answer 32

Magnesium

Question 33

Decreased levels liberate potassium to ECF which increases excretion of potassium and low serum levels

Answer 33

Magnesium

Question 34

Neuromuscular changes (overstimulation - hyperreflexia, weakness, cramps, twitching), dysrhythmias; resp muscle paralysis, laryngeal strider

Answer 34

Hypomagnesemia

Question 35

Depressed neuromuscular activity, weakness, flaccid paralysis

Answer 35

Hypermagnesemia

Question 36

Increase intake/replace losses

Answer 36

Hypomagnesemia

Question 37

Minimize intake, ensure adequate volume, remove with diuretics or dialysis

Answer 37

Hypermagnesemia