Blood Electrolytes & Gases

Question 1

Osmolarity

Answer 1

285-295 mmol/kg h2O

Question 2

Sodium (Na+)

Answer 2

136-145 mEq/L or mmol/L

Question 3

Potassium (K+)

High alert medication, can cause cardiac arrest

Answer 3

3.5-5.0 mEq/L or mmol/L
largest intracellular electrolyte, for transmission of electrical impulses in nerves & muscles. Maintains resting membrane potential for muscle.
90% excreted by kidneys.

Question 4

Chloride (Cl-)

Answer 4

98-106 mEq/L or mmol/L

Question 5

Total CO2

Answer 5

22-30 mEq/L or mmol/L

CO2 is acidic

Question 6

Bicarbonate (HCO3-)

Answer 6

Arterial 21-28 mEq/L or mmol/L
Venous 24-30 mEq/L or mmol/L

Alkaline

Question 7

Total Calcium (Ca2+)

Answer 7

9-10.5 mg/dL or 2.25-2.62 mmol/L

Influences excitability of nerve and muscle cells, necessary for muscle contraction.

Most abundant mineral, 99% stored in bones & teeth. Need Vit D for gut absorption.

Regulated by parathyroid PTH

Question 8

Ionized calcium (Ca2+)

Answer 8

4.5-5.6 mg-dL (1.05-1.3 mmol/L)
Unbound bioavailable form, usually 50% of total calcium

Question 9

Magnesium (Mg2+)

High alert medication

Answer 9

1.3-2.1 mEq/L (0.65-1.05 mmol/L)
2nd most abundant intracellular electrolyte. Assists in regulation of nerve and muscle function. Cofactor for numerous enzymes.

Question 10

Phosphate

Answer 10

3.0-4.5 mg/dL (0.97-1.45 mmol/L)

Necessary for production of ATP

Question 11

Anion Gap

Answer 11

6+ / -4 mEq/L or mmol/L

Question 12

pH

Answer 12

7.35-7.45

Question 13

PaCO2

Answer 13

Level of CO2 in blood

35-45 mm Hg (4.7-6 kPa)

Question 14

PaO2

Answer 14

80-100 mm Hg (10.7-13.3 kPa)

Level of oxygen in blood

Question 15

O2 saturation

Answer 15

95%-100% (0.95-1.00)

Question 16

Base excess

Answer 16

-2 to +2 mm EQ/L (mmol/L)

Question 17

Respiratory Acidosis

Answer 17

pH below 7.35
PaCO2 above 45
HCO3- normal

Question 18

Respiratory Alkalosis

Answer 18

pH above 7.45
PaCO2 below 35
HCO3- normal

Question 19

Metabolic Acidosis

Answer 19

pH below 7.35
PaCO2 normal

Question 20

Metabolic Alkalosis

Answer 20

pH above 7.45
PaCO2 normal

Question 21

High potassium foods

Answer 21

Baked potatoes
Prune juice
Carrot juice
white beans
yogurt
sweet potato
salmon
banana
spinach
avocado

Question 22

High magnesium foods

Answer 22

cooked spinach
pumpkin seeds
black beans
cooked soy beans
cashews
dark chocolate
avocados
tofu
salmon
banana

Question 23

Kidneys excrete

Answer 23

H+ (metabolic acids)
Kidneys excrete all acids except HCO3-. They secrete H+ in renal tubular fluid, putting HCO3- back into blood, or retain more HCO3-.

Question 24

Lungs excrete

Answer 24

CO2 + H2O carbonic acid HCO3-

Question 25

Isotonic Dextrose solution

Answer 25

5%

Question 26

Isotonic saline solution

Answer 26

0.9%

Question 27

Lactated Ringer (LR) solution

Answer 27

isotonic, contains Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl-, and lactate which liver metabolizes to HCO3- (bicarb), expands ECV, does not enter cells.