Serum electrolytes

Question 1

Predominant cation in ECF

Answer 1

Sodium (Na)

Question 2

Regarded as a marker of fluid status

Answer 2

Sodium (Na)

Question 3

Hyponatremia may be due to:

Answer 3

increase in ECF component
decrease in over-all body sodium

Question 4

Hypernatremia may be due to:

Answer 4

• water deficiency
• excess sodium intake

Question 5

98% found intracellularly

Answer 5

Potassium (K)

Question 6

Disproportionate ratio maintained by Na – K ATP-ase pump

Answer 6

Potassium (K)

Question 7

Necessary, along with Na, for maintaining the resting potential of the cell membranes and for generation of the action potential

Answer 7

Potassium (K)

Question 8

Hypokalemia may be due to:

Answer 8

• renal and GI losses
• cardiac problems
• sudden fall or fainting
• some drugs and renal alkalosis

Question 9

Hyperkalemia may be due to:

Answer 9

• decrease renal excretion
• excess potassium intake
• excess cell breakdown
• some drugs and metabolic acidosis

Question 10

Principle anion in ECF

Answer 10

Chloride (Cl)

Question 11

Helps to maintain acid-base balance within the body

Answer 11

Chloride (Cl)

Question 12

Hypochloremia may be due to:

Answer 12

vomiting

Question 13

Hyperchloremia may be indicative of

Answer 13

metabolic acidosis

Question 14

Represents the sum of [bicarbonate] and [sum of dissolved CO2]

Answer 14

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Question 15

may be corrected by blowing off CO2 from the lungs or excreting H+ in
the urine

Answer 15

Acidosis

Question 16

may be corrected by retaining CO2 from the lungs through decreased respiratory rate

Answer 16

Alkalosis

Question 17

Necessary for nerve tissue excitability and muscle contractility

Answer 17

Calcium (Ca)

Question 18

Calcium (Ca) is regulated by

Answer 18

PTH, calcitonin and Vitamin D

Question 19

Free and unionized form is physiologically active

Answer 19

Calcium (Ca)

Question 20

Must correct serum calcium in low-protein states as follows

Answer 20

Calcium (Ca)

Question 21

Hypocalcemia may be due to:

Answer 21

• deficiencies in the production or response to PTH
• deficiencies in vitamin D

Question 22

Hypercalcemia may be due to:

Answer 22

• hyperthyroidism
• malignancy, i.e. multiple myeloma or bone metastasis which leads to bone
• Paget’s disease

Question 23

found primarily in bone and soft tissues

Answer 23

Phosphorus

Question 24

Necessary for ATP production

Answer 24

Phosphorus

Question 25

Phosphorus is _________ in ECF

Answer 25

<1%

Question 26

Free, non-protein bound phosphorus exist in plasma as phosphate

Answer 26

Phosphate

Question 27

T/F: Phosphate precipitates in physiologic and biochemical events

Answer 27

True

Question 28

Hypophosphatemia may be due to: - impaired ___________ absorption - excessive __________ use - protracted __________

Answer 28

- intestinal - antacid - vomiting

Question 29

Hyperphosphatemia may be caused by: - __________ insufficiency - hypervitaminosis ______ - _____________

Answer 29

- renal - renal - hypoparathyroidism

Question 30

Intracellular cation found primarily in bone and muscle

Answer 30

Magnesium

Question 31

Involved in transfer, storage, and use of energy

Answer 31

Magnesium

Question 32

Necessary for many enzymes involved in metabolism of CHO, protein, and fat

Answer 32

Magnesium

Question 33

Necessary for the operation of Na, H, and Ca pumps and regulation of K and Ca channels

Answer 33

Magnesium

Question 34

Essential for neuronal control, neuromuscular transmission, and cardiovascular tone

Answer 34

Magnesium

Question 35

Hypomagnesemia may be due to: - __________ PO intake - prolonged ________ suction - _______ resection - severe ________ - _________ losses (i.e. due to some drugs)

Answer 35

- decreased - NG - bowel - diarrhea - renal

Question 36

Hypermagnesemia may be due to: - _____________ impairment (i.e. creatinine clearance <________/min) - magnesium-containing ________ and ________

Answer 36

- renal (30mL) - antacids; laxatives