Cause of Electrolyte Imbalance

Question 1

What are common causes of

fluid volume deficit?

Answer 1

Vomiting, diarrhea
Fever
GI Suction
Diuretics
Heat Prostration
High elevations (respiratory losses)
Beverages containing caffeine/alcohol

Question 2

What are common causes of

fluid volume excess?

Answer 2

Excessive intake of fluids OR abnormal retention of fluids
Kidney, liver, or heart disease
Water intoxication
Too much IV fluid

Question 3

What are common causes of Hyponatremia?

Answer 3

Due to loss of sodium or excess of water
Excessive perspiration.
Excessive intake of water.
Losses from GI tract- vomiting, diarrhea, NG suction.
Potent diuretics.
Congestive heart failure.
Administration of excessive hypotonic IV fluids.
Low-sodium diet/ NPO status

Question 4

What are common causes of Hypernatremia?

Answer 4

Caused by an excess of sodium or a decrease in body water
Causes: 
Abnormally large intake of sodium
More water than sodium is lost from body (watery diarrhea, high fever)
IV saline infused too rapidly
Too many sodium based antacids
Inadequate water intake
Near-drowning in salt water

Question 5

What are common causes of Hypokalemia?

Answer 5

Potassium level < 3.5 mEq/L
Caused by either decreased potassium intake or increased potassium loss
Body not able to retain potassium well
Excreted through kidneys

Question 6

What are common causes of Hyperkalemia?

Answer 6

Potassium excess
Level greater than 5 mEq/L
Less common than hypokalemia
Happens most with renal failure, kidneys unable to excrete potassium
Other causes of hyperkalemia:
Excess ingestion of K+ rich foods
Excessive use of salt substitutes
K+ sparing diuretics
Greater risk of cardiac arrest with excess K+ than with K+ deficit
Due to overstimulation of cardiac muscle

Question 7

What are common signs of Hypocalcemia?

Answer 7

Accidental removal of parathyroid glands during thyroid surgery
Deficiency of parathyroid hormone or vit. D
Excessive GI Losses- malabsorption or excessive use of laxatives
Excessive intake of alcohol
Use of diuretics
Poor dietary intake of calcium
Lactose intolerance

Question 8

What are common causes of Hypercalcemia?

Answer 8

Leaking of calcium from bones to blood
Possible Causes:
Tumor of parathyroid glands
Multiple fractures
Multiple myeloma
Prolonged immobilization
Excessive administration of vitamin D
Too many calcium-based antacid

Question 9

What are common causes of Hypomagnesemia?

Answer 9

With severe malnutrition
Chronic alcoholism
Hypercalcemia
Diarrhea/ Intestinal Malabsorption
Excessive urine output
Prolonged IV feedings without magnesium supplementation

Question 10

What are common causes of Hypermagnesemia?

Answer 10

Less common than deficit
Causes:
Severe dehydration
Renal failure
Diabetic ketoacidosis with severe water loss

Question 11

What are common causes of Respiratory Acidosis?

Answer 11

Causes:
Any form of HYPOVENTILATION:
Not able to take full, deep breaths
COPD, Depression of CNS, Sedation, Asthma, Overdose of Narcotics/sedative, Atelectasis, Pneumonia

Question 12

What are common causes of Respiratory Alkalosis?

Answer 12

Caused by hyperventilation (blowing off too much CO2)
May be mechanical hyperventilation
When CO2 levels drop, alkalosis develops
HYPERVENTILATION
Anxiety / Fear
Fever
Pain 
Drugs - Meth
High altitudes
Pregnancy

Question 13

What are common causes of Metabolic Acidosis?

Answer 13

Causes:

Starvation, dehydration, diarrhea, Diabetic Ketoacidosis, renal failure

Question 14

What are common causes of Metabolic Alkalosis?

Answer 14

Causes:
Vomiting
NG suctioning
Excessive ingestion of alkaline agents
Diuretics