CH 58 - ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE Flashcards
CHAPTER 58
Electrolyte Imbalances
Electrolytes are
minerals (sometimes called salts) that have an electric charge and are present in all body fluids.
ELECTRPLYTES regulate
fluid balance /
hormone productioN /,
strengthen skeletal structures,
act as catalysts in nerve response,
muscle contraction,
the metabolism of nutrients.
Major electrolytes in the body include
sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium.
Electrolytes are either
POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE
positive ELECTROLYTES -
(cations: magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium)
NEGATIVE ELECTROLYTES AKA
(anions: phosphate, sulfate, chloride, bicarbonate).
Monitoring laboratory values can help in identifying
any electrolyte imbalances.
While laboratory tests can accurately reflect the electrolyte concentrations in________, it is ____possible to directly measure electrolyte concentrations within _____
plasma
NOT
CELLS
Clients at greatest risk for electrolyte imbalance are
infants,
children,
older adults,
clients who have cognitive disorders, and
clients who have chronic illnesses.
EXPECTED REFERENCE RANGES Sodium:
136 to 145 mEq/L
EXPECTED REFERENCE RANGES Calcium:
9 to 10.5 mg/dL
EXPECTED REFERENCE RANGES Potassium:
3.5 to 5 mEq/L
EXPECTED REFERENCE RANGES Magnesium:
1.3 to 2.1 mEq/L
EXPECTED REFERENCE RANGES Chloride:
98 to 106 mEq/L
EXPECTED REFERENCE RANGES Phosphorus:
3 to 4.5 mg/Dl
Sodium (Na+) FOUND IN WHAT TISSUES
found in ECF and is present in most body fluids or secretions.
● Sodium is essential for
maintenance of acid‑base / fluid balance,
active / passive transport mechanisms,
irritability / conduction of nerve / muscle tissue.
● Hyponatremia is a blood sodium level less
than 136 mEq/L.
Hyponatremia results from
an excess of water in the plasma or loss of sodium‑rich fluids.
● Hyponatremia delays and slows the
depolarization of membranes.
IN HYPONATREMIA WATER MOVES IN WHAT DIRECTION
from the ECF into the ICF, which causes cells in the brain and nervous system to swell.
HYPO * NA * TREMIA
BELOW/UNDER * SODIUM * BLOOD
water moving from ECF to ICF causes what
causes cells in the brain and nervous system to swell.
RISK FACTORS - for Hyponatremia
Deficient ECF volume
● Excessive GI losses:
● Renal losses:
● Skin losses:
Increased or normal ECF volume: excessive oral water intake, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)
● Edematous states: heart failure, cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome
● Excessive IV administration of dextrose 5% in water
● Inadequate sodium intake (NPO status)
● Use of hypotonic irrigating solutions
● Hyperglycemia
● Older adult clients are at greater risk due to an increased incidence of chronic illnesses, use of diuretic medications, and risk for insufficient sodium intake.
Deficient ECF volume can come from
excessive GI losses; renal losses; skin losses; increased or normal ECF; edematous state; excessive IV admin of dextrose in H20; hypotonic irrigations; hyperglycemia; older clients
● Excessive GI losses:
vomiting, nasogastric suctioning, diarrhea, tap water enemas
● Renal losses:
diuretics, kidney disease, adrenal insufficiency, excessive sweating
● Skin losses:
burns, wound
Increased or normal ECF volume:
excessive oral water intake, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)
● Edematous states:
heart failure, cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome
● Excessive IV administration of
dextrose 5% in water
● Inadequate sodium intake
(NPO status)
● Older adult clients are at greater risk due to
an increased incidence of chronic illnesses, use of diuretic medications, and risk for insufficient sodium intake.
EXPECTED FINDINGS for hyponatremia
Vary with a normal, decreased, or increased ECF volume
VITAL SIGNS: - hyponatremia
Hypothermia, tachycardia, rapid thready pulse, hypotension, orthostatic hypotension
NEUROMUSCULOSKELETAL: - hyponatremia
Headache, confusion, lethargy, muscle weakness with possible respiratory compromise, fatigue, decreased deep tendon reflexes (DTRs), seizures, coma
GI: - hyponatremia
Increased motility, hyperactive
NURSING CARE - hyponatremia
● Monitor I&O / weigh client daily - same time o/ same scale.
● Monitor vital signs / level of consciousness, reporting irregular findings.
● Encourage to change positions slowly.
● Follow prescribed fluid restrictions.
● Monitor respiratory status if muscle weakness present.
● Encourage foods / fluids high in sodium (cheese, milk, condiments).
FLUID OVERLOAD do what?
● Restrict water intake as prescribed.
if fluid overload, restricting water intake is typically effective when
fluid volume is normal to high.
SEVERE HYPONATREMIA: Administer
hypertonic oral and IV fluids as prescribed.
Hypernatremia
●blood sodium level greater than 145 mEq/L.
● serious electrolyte imbalance.
It can cause significant neurologic, endocrine, and cardiac disturbances.
● Increased sodium causes hypertonicity of the blood. This causes a shift of water out of the cells, making the cells dehydrated.
Hypernatremia can cause
significant neurologic, endocrine, and cardiac disturbances.
Increased sodium causes
hypertonicity of the blood. This causes a shift of water out of the cells, making the cells dehydrated.
hypertonicity of the blood. This causes a
shift of water out of the cells, making the cells dehydrated.
risk factors for hypernatremia
● Water deprivation (NPO)
● Heat stroke
● Excessive sodium intake:
● Excessive sodium retention:
● Fluid losses:
hypernatremia
above/oversodiumblood
● Excessive sodium intake:
dietary sodium intake, hypertonic IV fluids, hypertonic tube feedings, bicarbonate intake
● Excessive sodium retention:
kidney failure, Cushing’s syndrome, aldosteronism, some medications (glucocorticosteroids)
● Fluid losses:
fever, diaphoresis, burns, respiratory infection, diabetes insipidus, hyperglycemia, watery diarrhea