Electrolye Signs and Symptoms Flashcards
What system does unbalanced Potassium mess up?
Cardiac function
What system does unbalanced Sodium mess up?
Neurological state
What systems does unbalanced Calcium mess up?
Nervous, muscular, and bone
What system does unbalanced Magnesium mess up?
Nervous
What system does unbalanced Phosphorus mess up?
Energy and metabolism (ATP)
What can unbalanced chloride mess up?
Osmotic Pressure and Digestion
What can cause hyponatremia?
Loss of sodium and water, inadequate take, BURNS, DIARRHEA, VOMITING, CHF, liver cirrhosis, renal failure, DIURETICS, adrenal insufficiency, HYPOTHYROIDISM, SIADH
What are signs and symptoms of hyponatremia?
HEADACHE, LETHARGY, CONFUSION, seizures, coma, nausea, vomiting, HYPOREFLEXIA, WEAKNESS
How can the nurse treat hyponatremia?
Increase environmental safety, RUN IV FLUIDS (HYPERTONIC), DIURETICS/FLUID RESTRICTION, MONITOR I/Os, treat the underlying cause,
What are the nursing diagnoses that accompany hyponatremia?
Impaired mental status, excess fluid volume, risk for impaired sensory perception, risk for injury, risk for electrolyte imbalance
What causes hypernatremia?
Fluid volume loss or excess intake, bicarbonates
What are the signs and symptoms of hypernatremia?
Extreme thirst, INCREASED NEURO ACTIVITY, flushed skin, fever
How can the nurse treat hypernatremia?
MONITOR I/Os, gradually reduce to normal with adequate water or NSS
What nursing diagnoses accompany Hypernatremia?
Risk for injury, risk for fluid volume deficit, impaired physical mobility, impaired sensory perception, risk for impaired oral mucous membranes
What causes hypokalemia?
Diuretics (ALDACTONE), diarrhea, vomiting, starvation, GI SUCTION, LAXATIVE ABUSE, enemas, DIGOXIN, albuterol, INSULIN
What are the signs and symptoms of hypokalemia?
WEAKNESS, PARALYSIS, muscle pain, PARESTHESIA, weak/thready pulse, DYSRRHYTHMIAS, HEART BLOCK, shallow respiration, dyspnea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, DECREASED GI MOTILITY
What does the severity of the signs and symptoms of hypokalemia depend on?
The rate that the decrease in levels happens
How should the nurse treat hypokalemia?
Potassium supplements
How should Potassium be given?
Never push it and never exceed 20 mEq/L
What nursing diagnoses should accompany hypokalemia?
Decrease cardiac output, risk for injury, ineffective breathing pattern, constipation, fatigue
What causes hyperkalemia?
Excessive potassium intake, decreased potassium excretion, BURNS, CHEMO, severe muscle injury
What is potassium excreted in?
Urine
What are the signs and symptoms of hyperkalemia?
Weakness, malaise, nausea, diarrhea, parasthesias, CRAMPS, flaccid limb paralysis, DYSRRHYTHMIAS, BRADYCARDIA, HEART BLOCK, DECREASED BP
How can the nurse treat hyperkalemia?
Stop all infusion potassium, LOOP DIURETICS, CALCIUM, INSULIN, kayexalate, albuterol, DIALYSIS
What nursing diagnoses should accompany hyperkalemia?
Risk for decreased cardiac output, risk for injury, diarrhea r/t neuromuscular changes and GI irritability
What causes hypocalcemia?
Inhibition of GI absorption, increased excretion, decreased ionized calcium, endocrine disturbance, PARATHYROID function, hypomagnesemia
What are the signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia?
PARASTHESIA, SEIZURES, cramps, TETANY, TREMORS, CONFUSION, irritability, DYSRRHYTHMIAS, laryngospasm, ALTERED CLOTTING, BLEEDING, bruising
How can the nurse expect to treat hypocalcemia?
Calcium gluconate, calcium chloride, oral calcium, ADEQUATE HYDRATION
How should calcium gluconate be administered?
Very slow IV Push
What nursing diagnoses accompany hypocalcemia?
Decreased cardiac output, risk for injury r/t muscle contraction, imbalanced nutrition
What causes hypercalcemia?
Increased intake of Calcium or Vitamin D, increased absorption, decreased excretion, NEOPLASTIC DISEASE, HYPERPARATHYROIDISM, Paget’s disease, HYPERTHYROIDISM, overuse of antacids or thiazide diuretics
What are signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia?
WEAKNESS, LETHARGY, paresthesia, hypotonia, nausea, vomiting, CONSTIPATION, anorexia, INCREASED BP, DECREASED LOC, HEADACHE, low back/flank pain, polyuria, EXCESS CLOTTING, decreased peristalsis
How can the nurse expect to treat hypercalcemia?
Monitor ECG and labs, increase fluids to allow kidneys to flush, decrease Calcium in diet and antacid use, LOOP DIURETICS, CORTICOSTEROIDS
Which medication lab values do you have to closely monitor if your patient has hypercalcemia?
Digoxin
What nursing diagnoses accompanies hypercalcemia?
Risk for injury, potential renal insufficiency, imbalanced nutrition, risk for constipation
What can a nurse do for a patient in hypercalcemic crisis?
NS IV Bolus at 300-500 mL/hr, Plicamycin, Salmon calcitonin, IV Phosphorous, or dialysis
What are the causes of hypomagnesemia?
ALCOHOLISM, chronic poor diet, prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, decreased absorption and related GI conditions, LONG TERM IV THERAPY, TPN, increased renal excretion
What are the signs and symptoms of hypomagnesemia?
HYPERREFLEXIA, TWITCHING, cramps, TETANY, Trousseau’s sign, Chvostek’s sign, DYSRRHYTHMIAS, INCREASED HR, shallow respirations, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, confusion, laryngeal stridor
Define the relationship between Magnesium and Calcium
They compete in a direct relationship for binding spots
What is Magnesium used to treat?
It prevents cardiovascular disease and helps patients rebound from TIAs
Define the relationship between Magnesium and Phosphorus
They have an indirect relationship because of the relationships between Calcium and Phosphorus and Calcium and Magnesium
How should a nurse expect hypomagnesemia to be treated?
Oral/IV magnesium, diet changes, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, “banana bag” supplements
What foods are rich in magnesium?
Whole grains, cocoa, legumes, dark/leafy veggies
What nursing diagnoses accompany patients with hypomagnesemia?
Imbalanced nutrition, risk for injury, risk for decreased cardiac output
What causes hypermagnesemia?
Increased magnesium intake, antacids, laxatives, enemas, drug overdose treatment, lithium, RENAL FAILURE, decreased aldosterone
What are the signs and symptoms of hypermagnesemia?
HYPOREFLEXIA, drowsy, LETHARGIC, weakness, paresthesia, shallow respirations, HYPOTENSION, bradycardia, flush, CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIAS, HEART BLOCK, coma
How can the nurse expect to treat hypermagnesemia?
Increase renal excretion, calcium gluconate, DIURETICS, DIALYSIS, rehydration
What nursing diagnoses accompany hypermagnesemia?
Risk for injury, risk for ineffective breathing pattern, decreased cardiac output
What causes hypophosphatemia?
Decreased absorption, increased excretion, intracellular shift, poor diet status, ANTACIDS, HYPERPARATHYROIDISM, HYPERCALCEMIA, renal failure, DIABETES MELLITUS, ALCOHOL ABUSE
What are the signs and symptoms of hypophosphatemia?
IRRITABILITY, CONFUSION, DECREASED CARDIAC OUTPUT, weak pulses, weakness
How can the nurse expect to treat hypophosphatemia?
Stop Calcium supplements, stop diuretics, stop antacids, oral or IV push Phosphorus and Vitamin D, diet changes
Which foods are rich in Phosphorus?
Fish, organ meats, nuts, whole grains
What nursing diagnoses accompany hypophosphatemia?
Risk for injury, potential renal insufficiency, imbalanced nutrition, risk for constipation
What causes hyperphosphatemia?
Renal insufficiency, HYPOPARATHYROIDISM, increased intake
What are the signs and symptoms of hyperphosphatemia?
Paresthesia, SEIZURES, cramps, TETANY, TREMORS, CONFUSION, IRRITABILITY, DYSRHYTHMIAS, laryngeal spasm, altered clotting, BLEEDING, bruising
How would the nurse expect to treat hyperphosphatemia?
Phosphate binding drugs (calcium carbonate, antacids, laxatives), discontinue Fleet enemas
What are the nursing diagnoses that accompany hyperphosphatemia?
Decreased cardiac output, risk for injury, imbalanced nutrition
What are the signs and symptoms of hypochloridemia?
Vomiting
What does hypochloridemia lead to?
Metabolic alkalosis
What are the causes of hyperchloridemia?
Too much bicarbonate
What condition does hyperchoridmia lead to?
Metabolic acidosis
