Electrolyte balance Flashcards
electrolytes to focus on:
NA, K, CA, MG, P, CL
electrolytes in body fluids functions, diff of osmolarity/osmolality
- Electrolytes function as a group
- To promote neuromuscular irritability (how muscles move, how body functions)
- Maintain body fluid volume and osmolality
- Osmolality is the measure of the concentrating ability of the kidney (measure of fluid; solvent)
- Osmolarity is the concentration of particles in the blood. An indication of hydration (275-295 mOsm/kg) (measure of particles; solutes)
- help distribute body water between fluid compartments
- regulate acid-base balance
electrolytes
- Solutes are substances that are dissolved in body fluids
- Nonelectrolytes
- Do not separate into charged particles
- Example: glucose
- Electrolytes
- Do separate into charged particle
- Cations (+)
- Anions (-)
- Normally total number of+/- charges are equal on both sides of cell, not necessarily the same electrolytes, but the same charge.
- Do separate into charged particle
- Nonelectrolytes
regulation mechanisms for electrolytes
Thirst Kidneys: Volume and osmolality RAA Mechanism: -Responds to hypotension -Vasoconstriction -Na+ regulation -ADH -osmolality -blood volume -aldosterone
inside the cell is mostly what electrolyte? outside? their charges?
inside: mostly K
outside: mostly Na
both have pos charge. big big influencers on charge inside/outside cell
lost electrolytes thru?
-Losses that override bodys homeostatic abilities, theres a problem. losses happen via •GI tract •Urinary tract •Sweat •Vomit •Nasogastric suctions •Wound drainage, hemorrhage
sodium functions
- maintain ECF volume
- regulate acid base balance with ions
- conduct nerve impulses
sodium normal
135-145 meq/L
what regulates sodium
aldosterone, ADH, ANP
hypernatremia pt teaching
look in book for pt teaching and tx
hypernatremia definition, causes
> 145.
more water is lost than sodium.
causes: cushings syndrome, diabetes insipidus.
hypernatremia leads to?
cellular dehydration
hypernatremia s/s
thirst low grade fever peripheral/pulmonary edema postural hypotension AMS neuromuscular irritability coma/seizures
hypernatremia tx
oral water replacement
cerebral edema risk if water replacement given too fast
hyponatremia, causes, effect on cells
(Low Serum Sodium)
• Water retention, loss or inadequate intake of sodium
• Diuretics
• Vomiting, diarrhea, GI suctioning
• Wound fluid loss
• Overuse of certain IV fluids ( too much 1/2 NS –> hyponatremic blood )
• Cells have reduced ability to depolarize
hyponatremia s/s
- lethargy
- headache
- confusion
- personality changes
- apprehension
- seizure, coma
- brain damage is possible(SIADH)
what electrolyte has the most impt role for tonicity, fluid shifts
Sodium has THE most impt role with tonicity, fluid shifts when it comes to composition of blood/interstitial fluid/cells if we could measure them
hyponatremia tx
restrict water
intake sodium
oral unless very severe (risks with IV)
treat the underlying cause
potassium functions, normal
normal: 3.5-5.5 (narrow therapeutic range)
- intracellular osmolality
- cellular depolarization and repolarization
- cellular integrity
- neuromuscular impulses
- acid base balance
- carbs into energy
- amino acids into proteins
- cardiac contractions (the biggest concern!)
why is potassium important for the body
Also plays bigbig role because there’s lot of potassium in cell and also because it has huge impact on cardiac function: we worry if K is outisde normal, high or low, either one puts pt at risk for fatal dysrhythmia. It also has very narrow therapeutic range: 3.5-5.5 per the book
hyperkalemia causes
> 5.5
- increased K intake
- decreased urinary excretion
- cellular damage, trauma (crush injuries and such) (Most common electrolyte in the cell: enough cells die from injury and insides of cell leak into bloodstream –> hyperkalemia)
- inappropriate iv fluids
- renal failure
- potassium sparing diuretics
- severe acidosis
- sepsis
- decrease in aldosterone, insulin
- addison’s disease
hyperkalemia s/s
- irregular pulse
- irritability
- ABD distension
- cramping
- muscle weakness (sometimes the first sign)
- paresthesia, numbness
- diarrhea
- EKG changes
hyperkalemia ekg changes
The first change we will see with hyperkalemia is peaked T waves, but if it gets bad enough then it becomes a fatal dysrhythmia (severe hyperkalemia)