Chapter 42: Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance Flashcards
Risk for electrolyte imbalance
-Electrolyte imbalance risk is associated with diarrhea, emesis (vomiting), lack of interest in food, and diuretic use.
-Muscle cramps
-Cardiac arrhythmias
Risk for Impaired Cardiac Function
-The risk for a cardiac abnormality associated with electrolyte imbalances must be assessed by the nurse.
-Altered heart rate or rhythm (tachycardia or bradycardia)
-Blood pressure changes, such as hypotension
-Poor muscle tone
-Poor skin turgor
Acute Pain secondary to Electrolyte Imbalance
-Acute pain secondary to electrolyte imbalance must be assessed by the nurse, especially in patients with hypokalemia.
-Muscle cramps
Impaired Nutritional Intake
-Nutritional imbalances may provide less than the body requires and may be associated with diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, lack of interest in food, or altered taste sensation. Hypercalcemia (high levels of calcium in the blood), hyponatremia (lower levels of sodium), and hypokalemia (lower levels of potassium) are often found with anorexia, nausea, and vomiting.
-Electrolyte imbalances
-Poor muscle tone
-Altered taste sensation
Fluid volume excess
-Excess fluid volume associated with electrolyte imbalance can be found in instances of hypervolemic hyponatremia or hypernatremia caused by sodium excess.
-Dyspnea, abnormal breath sounds
-Changes in skin turgor
-Edema
-Blood pressure changes
Impaired Memory
-Impaired Memory can be associated with several electrolyte imbalances.
-Inability to remember information
-Inability to determine if a behavior was performed
-Inability to learn new information
Acute Confusion
-Acute Confusion associated with electrolyte imbalance can have many causes, including electrolyte abnormalities.
-Fluctuation in cognition
-Change in level of consciousness
-Alterations in activity
-Physiologic alterations
