Electrolyte Flashcards
Sodium (Na+) 135 - 145
Function
• helps maintain blood volume & blood pressure
Memory trick
• sodium causes the body to retain water
Think Brain
• 135 below hyponatremia
• 145 above hypernatremia
HYPONATREMIA:
SIGN & SYMPTOMS: (SALT LOSS)
• S = tupor/coma
• A = norexia (nausea & vomiting)
• L = ethargy (weakness & fatigue)
• T = achycardia (thready pulse)
• L = imp muscles (muscle weakness)
• O = rthostatic hypotension
• S = eizures / headache
• S = tomach cramping (hyperactive bowels)
2 types of hyponatremia:
• hypovolemic = from lower levels of fluid & sodium
• hypervolemic = from upper levels of water in the body which dilutes sodium
RISK FACTOR ( 5 D’s)
• diaphoresis
• diarrhea & vomiting
• drains (NGT suction)
• diuretics
• Siadh (dilution)
TREATMENT
• administered IV fluids
• place patient on seizure precautions
• place the patient fluid restriction
• place patient on airway protection (NPO)
HYPERNATREMIA:
SIGN & SYMPTOMS : (FRIED SALT)
• F = lushed skin
• R = estless, anxious, confused, irrritable
• I = ncreased BP & fluid retention
• E = dema (pitting)
• D = ecrease urine output
• S = kin is dry
• A = gitation
• L = ow grade fever
• T = thirst
RISK FACTORS
Loss of fluids
• fever
• burns
• diabetes
TREATMENT
• Restrict Sodium intake
• administer IV fluids if due to fluid loss (isotonic or hypotonic solutions)
Potassium (K+) 3.5 - 5
Function
• helps muscle to contract (including heart muscle)
Memory trick
• potassium helps the heart muscle to pump blood to the body
Potassium think heart
• 3.5 below hypokalemia
• 5 above hyperkalemia
HYPOKALEMIA
SIGN & SYMPTOMS (WLLSSN)
• Week muscle & less contraction
• low reflexes
• low bp
• shallow breathing
• slowing of GI system (constipation)
• nausea, vomiting, bloating
RISK FACTOR
• low potassium intake
• vomiting diarrhea
• gastric sunction
• alkalosis
• potassium wasting diuretics (loop or thiazide)
TREATMENT
• oral potassium supplement
• IV potassium always dilute in fluid
• potassium can burn the vein therefore infuse slowly
• never administer potassium via IV push
HYPERKALEMIA
SIGN & SYMPTOMS (MURDER)
• M = uscle cramps & weakness
• U = rine abnormalities
• R = espiratory distress
• D = ecreased cardiac contractility
• E = KG changes
• R = reflexes
RISK FACTORS
• intake too much potassium ( IV fluids with K)
• adrenal gland issues (insufficiency)
• high levels of acid in blood (acidosis)
• non steriodal anti inflammatory drug (NSAID) (ibuprofen, naproxen)
• potassium sparing diuretics ( spironolactone)
TREATMENT
• stop potassium intake (IV or Po)
Administer medication
• IV sodium bicarbonate
• IV calcium gluconate
Calcium (C+)
Function
• helps with heart function blood clotting and bone formation
Memory trick
• creating bones
Calcium think bone
• 9 below hypocalcemia
• 11 above hypercalcemia
HYPOCALCEMIA
SIGN & SYMPTOMS: (BACKME)
• B = onepain
• a = rrhythmias
• c = ardiac arrest
• k = idney stones
• M = uscle weakness
• E = xcessive urination
RISK FACTOR:
• High calcium absorption
• low calcium secretion
• kidney disease
• use of thiazide diuretic
• hyperparathyroidism & hyperthyroidism
• bone breakdown from metastatic cancer
TREATMENT:
• stop calcium intake (IV or PO)
• administered low calcium
• phosphorus
• calcitonin
Magnesium (mg)
Function
• helps muscle and nerves stay healthy helps regulate energy levels
Memory trick
• manages muscle
Magnesium think calm and sedated
• 1.5 below hypomagnesemia
• 2.5 above hypermagnesemia
Phosphorus (p)
Function
• helps create/maintain teeth & bones, helps to repair cells & body tissue
Memory trick
• think perfect teeth
Phosphorus think teeth
• 2.5 below hypophosphatemia
• 4.5 above hyperphosphatemia
Chloride (cl)
Function
• helps maintain acid-base imbalance helps to control fluid levels in the cells
Memory trick
• carrying fluids
Chloride think cellular
• 95 below hypochloremia
• 105 above hyperchloremia
Bun
7 - 20
Creatinine
0.6 - 1.2
Albumin
3.4 - 5.4
