Chemistries Flashcards
what is the difference between plasma and serum
plasma: both serum and coagulants
serum: missing coagulants
what two forms does the metabolic panel come in
BMP
CMP
what is the major cation in the extracellular space
sodium
why would sodium levels be increased
GI loss, extensive burns, diabetes insipidus, too much Na in diet
why would sodium levels increase
n
symptoms of HYPOnatremia
aka low sodium weakness confusion lethargy coma
symptoms of HYPERnatremia
dry mucous membrane thirst agitation hyper-reflexia seizure
what is the major intracellular cation
potassium
what does alkalosis do to potassium?
acidosis?
alkalosis: lowers potassium = hypokalemia
acidosis = raises potassium = HYPER kalemia
K+ varies like CO2
what two things promote movement of K into cells
insulin
albuterol
what is the #1 cause for HYPERkalemia
lab error
(other reasons: hemolysis, rhabdomyolysis, renal failure, meds
reasons for HYPOkalemia
too much insulin
diuretics
GI loss
at what time of day do Ca levels peak
9 pm
what molecule is associated with decreased Ca
albumin
hypoalbuminemia assoc with low Ca
would need to first stabilize pt with albumin and then recheck Ca
what gland regulates Ca
parathyroid hormone, calcitonin from thyroid
parathyroid= released in response to low Ca
calcitonin = released in response to high Ca
“tones down the Ca levels when get too high”
causes of low Ca
HYPOparathyroidism
vit d def
renal disease
meds
causes of high Ca
hyper parathyroidism
vit d toxicity
bone cancer
meds
where is most Mg located in the body
most intracellular and half in the bone
mg is important for neuromusclar / cardiac tissue function
is mg regulated by hormones
no
though it assoc with Ca/K
causes of hypomagnesemia
malnutrition
hypoparathyroidism
alcholism
diuretics
causes of hypermagnesemia
antacids
addisons
renal insufficiney
laxatives
where is Cl normally found in body
extracellular
causes of hypo Cl
hyper Cl
hypo= often follow Na loss, diuretics
hyper= na increase, renal failure, IATROGENIC- large fluid administration (IV)
what is the anion gap
difference between anions and cations
aids in defining acid/base disorders
defines what is NOT directly measured by labs !!!!!!!!!
what is the anion gap most useful for
defining causes of metabolic acidosis by HIGH gap
low gaps are rare
what controls serum glucose
insulin and glucagon
what is released in response to high glucose
insulin- stimulates cells to take in glucose
causes of hyperglycemia
stress caffeine trauma infection steriods DM
causes of hypoglycemia
insuinoma/insulin therapy when dose excessive
hypothyroidism
addisons
what is a hemoglobin A1C
3 month average of blood glucose
what is used to diagnose Diabetes mellitus
HbG A1C over 6.5% on 2 occasions = considered diagnostic
what do CO2 levels indirectly measure
bicarbonate ion
CO2 levels help evaluate pH
elevations: vomit, COPD, metabolic alkalosis,
decreases: diarrhea, loop diuretics, renal failure, metabolic acidosis
what does serum osmolality provide you information about
fluid status and electrolytes (how thick/thin blood is)
what causes decrease in serum osmolality
more fluid
what causes increase in serum osmolality
less fluid
what is the osmolar gap
osmoLALITY(measured) minus osmoLARITY (calced)
omolality= particles of solute per kilo of solvent
osmolarlity= particles of solute per liter solution
what is bicarbonate regulated by
the kidneys
