electrolyte 2 and CMP Flashcards
range Na
135-145 mEq/L
range K
3.5-5 mEq/L
range Cl
98-106 mEq/L
range bicarb
22-32 mEq/L
electrolyte panel CPT code
80051
EKG hypokalemia
prominent U wave
EKG hyperkalemia
tall peaked T wave
what is K
K: major intracellular CATion, renal excretion, regulated in distal nephron
RAS system aldosterone actions
increase renal Na reabsorption and increase renal K excretion
hyperkalemia dx and etiology
Hyperkalemia: K>5.0 (>6-6.5 = serious problem)
May be caused by:
- false elevation
- pseudohyperkalemia
- inadequate excretion
- redistribution from ICF to ECF
- excess administration
clinical features of hyperkalemia
Neuro: weakness, numbness, tingling, paralysis, hypoactive DTR
EKG changes, arrythmia, cardiac arrest: early EKG tall peaked T wave, end event: sine wave pattern with arrest
Causes of pseudohyperkalemia
- hemolysis due to poor venipuncture technique *most common
- Thrombocytosis, leukocytosis
* *repeat K determination to check for artifactual elevation
Inadequate excretion of K etiology cause of hyeperkalemia
- Renal failure: assess BUN/Cr
- Meds blocking K excretion: spironolactone, triamterene, amiloride
- Hypoaldosteronism (adrenal insufficiency ie Addisons disease, ACE inhibitors-common, NSAIDS -uncommon, Renal tubular disease)
Etiology redistribution of K cause of hyperkalemia
K moves from ICF to ECF:
- tissue damage ie rhabdomyolysis
- acidosis (a 0.1 decrease in pH raises serum K+ about 0.5-1.0 mEq/L due to ECF shift)
- decreased insulin
Etiology of excess K+ admin
K supplement (oral, IV) K based salt sub
Tx hyperkalemia, rapid
r/o pseudohyperkalemia via repeat K+
If K+ is >6.5 send to ER or ICU
*rapid correction: CaCl IV to protect heart; maneuvers to shift K from ECF to ICF (sodium bicarb IV to increase pH, D50W plus insulin IV)
*give dextrose with insulin to prevent hypoglycemia
tx hyperkalemia, slow
Slow correction:
- diuretics (furosemide)
- kayexalate + sorbitol (po or rectal) - cation exchange resin (Na for K in gut)
- dialysis
Correct underlying cause:
- stop K sparing diuretic
- stop ACE inhibitor, K supp etc
- mineralcorticoid replacement if Addisons
dx and etiology hypokalemia
Hypokalemia: K< 3.0 is potentially dangerous; 2.0 = ~ 200 mEq deficit in adult Cause: 1. inadequate intake 2. GI tract loss 3. Renal loss 4. Redistribution ECF to ICF
Clinical features/sx hypokalemia
sx:
neuromuscular: malaise, weakness, cramps, constipation, paralysis
polyuria, polydipsia with hyperglycemia
signs:
cardiac: arrythmia, hypotension (EKG - flattened T wave, ST depression , U WAVES, ventricular ectopy)
low potassium is more dangerous when taking what?
digoxin
etiology GI loss cause of hypokalemia
vomiting, diarrhea (laxative abuse, IBD), fistula, villous adenoma (rectosigmoid tumor)
Upper GI loss (vomiting, NG suction) –> metab alkalosis which promotes renal K loss (*Cl losing diarrhea can cause metab alkalosis as well) however note that lower GI loss ie diarrhea or fistula usually causes metab ACIDosis
Etiology renal loss cause of hypokalemia
diruetic*, osmotic diuresis (hyperglycemia or EtOH), renal tubular acidosis (RTA), Bartter’s syndrome (elevated renin and aldosterone)
Causes of K redistribution from ECF to ICF (hypokalemia)
- Metab alkalosis (each 0.1 increase in pH lowers serum K+ by 0.5-1 mEq/L)
- insulin administration
- mineralocorticoid excess ie hyperaldosteronism, cushings, steroid
- hypokalemic periodic paralysis
- B agonist induce cellular uptake of K and promote insulin secretion by pancreas (Albuterol)
Prompt tx of hypokalemia is critical if taking what?
Digitalis
tx hypokalemia
tx underlying cause, check hypomagnesemia, 24 hr urine K (20 mEq/d suggests renal loss)
if you cant get a hold on a pt low K, what should you check (BOARD)
check Mg
rapid correction hypokalemia
IV:
cardiac monitor, IV KCl: usually <20mEq/hr
*check Stat K q 2-4hr
slow correction hypokalemia
Oral or liquid: 20-40 mEq BID-TID
kids: 1-2 mEq/kd/d divided dose
what are the components of CMP
Glu, BUN, Cr, BUN/Cr, Na, K, Cl, CO2, Total Pro, Alb, Ca, ALK pho, ALT, AST, total bilirubin
what are potential additional components of CMP
phos, Mg, anion gap, Globulin, A/G ratio
what is total protein composed of and what is the RR
RR = 6.4-8.3 g/dL
composed of Prealbumin, albumin, globulin (PAG for Pro)
what is total protein level used for
dx/eval/monitor:
cancer, immune disorders, protein losing enteropathies, impaired ntr, liver dz, edema (ascites, burns etc)
What is albumins RR and what percent of total protein does it comprise
RR albumin = 3.5-5 g/dL for adult
4-5.9 g/dL child
makes up 60% of total protein (prealb, alb, globulin)
functions of albumin?
- transport drugs, hormones and enzymes
* maintain osmotic pressure
where is albumin synthesized and what is it a measure of
synthesized in liver, measure of hepatic function and NUTRITIONAL STATUS!!!
when might we see decreased ALbumin
- malnourished pt
- protein losing enteropathies (crohn, celiac)
- protein losing nephropathies (nephrotic syndrome = edema, proteinuria, hyperlipidemia)
- Liver dz, third spacing (ascites, burns), inflammatory dz (globulins ^ causing alb to dec)
when might we see increased alb
dehydration
where are globulins mostly made and what are they used for
mostly made in bone marrow and lymph tissue (few in liver)
*used for antibodies, acute phase reactants (ie CRP for inflammation)
what groups of globulins exist
alpha, gamma, beta
*gamma = immunoglobulin
when are globulins often elevated
when albumin is low, globulins are often elevated: acute rznz, chronic inflammatory dz, advanced cirrhosis (bc albumin made in liver)
What is serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) and what disease can it be used to dx?
SPEP is a process that separates serum components by electrical charge; can reveal patterns characteristic of dz
*Multiple Myeloma (MM) has “M spike” (monoclonal gammopathy) in beta or gamma globulin demonstrated on SPEP
What is Multiple Myeloma and it’s initial sx and what urine component is indicated of the dz
MM is cancer of plasma cells usually occurring in 6th decade. Initial sx are back or rib pain and anemia
*BENCE JONES PROTEINS IN URINE
What is the RR for Ca
RR adult 9-10.5
What is total Ca consist of and what is it used to evaluate
Total Ca = free (ionized) + protein bound
- measures alb simultaneously
- used to eval Parathyroid function
What is the critical value for Ca
13 mg/dl
who is it important to monitor Ca levels in?
pt with renal failure, hyperparathyroidism and malignancies
What is the calcium distribution in the body
99% in bone
1% in cells (.9 in ICF)
0.1% in ECF/serum (50% free, 10% complexed, 40% protein bound)
What percentage of serum Ca is ionized/free Ca and what exactly does this mean physiologically
50% of serum Ca is free/ionized. This means that the Ca is free to leave vascular compartment and participate in cell function
What cell functions/roles does ionized/free Ca play an important role in?
NMJ activity (eg muscle and heart contractility)
enzymatic rxn
blood clotting
outline the process of Ca entering/exiting body
- Enters body via GI tract
- Absorbed into intestine with help from vitamin D
- Stored in bone
- Excreted by kidney
What is serum Ca regulated by and what happens if there is a decrease in serum Ca
serum Ca regulated by PTH and vit D
*dec in serum Ca causes PTH secretion to increase serum Ca