electrolyte imbalance Flashcards
Sodium imbalance causes _________ changes
Neuro
-NPO status, Diuretic therapy, Burns, Alcoholism, and GI loss can cause what?
Hyponatremia
These clinical manifestations are caused by what?
-Decrease in deep tendon reflexes
-Tremors, twitching, confusion
-Tachycardia
Hyponatremia
What are common causes of Hypernatremia
Fluid deprivation in pts who cannot perceive, respond, or communicate their thirst
-Unconscious pts’s
-Admin of hypertonic solutions
-Dehydration, GI loss,
-Heatstroke, Diabetes insipidus
-Excessive intake of NA
-Severe burns, diarrhea
Can cause what?
Hypernatremia
These clinical manifestations are caused by what?
-Extreme thirst
-Hyperreflexia, twitching
-Oliguria or anuria
-Seizures
-Dry rough skin
-Respiratory failure
Hypernatremia
What is the most important nursing intervention for hypernatremia?
I&O
What is-
Caused by a decreased ratio of salt loss>water loss and excessive water relative to total NA+
Hyponatremia
What is-
Caused by a gain of sodium in excess of water or by loss of water
Hypernatremia
What is caused by:
-Severe body fluid loss
-Kidney disease
Hypokalemia
What are the major ways that cause severe body fluid loss
-NG suction
-Wound drainage
-Vomiting and diarrhea
What would cause these clinical manifestations?
-Dysrhythmias
-Leg cramps
-Decreased bowel motility
-Irritability
Hypokalemia
What would these problems cause?
-Renal failure
-Crushing injuries
-Severe widespread cell damage burns
Hyperkalemia
How should you NEVER replace potassium?
-IV bolus
-Crush PO tablet
What would cause these clinical manifestations?
-Cardiac arrest
-Arrythmias
-Increased GI motility
-Peaked T-waves and widened QRS
Hyperkalemia
What would these problems cause?
-Thyroid problems
-Malabsorption syndromes
-Alcoholism
-Renal failure
Hypocalcemia
What would cause these clinical manifestations?
-Tetany
-Muscle cramps
-hyperactive DTR
-Positive Troussea’s and chvostek’s sign
-Arrythmias and seizures
Hypocalcemia
What should you keep at the bedside when suspecting a pt has hypocalcemia?
Calcium gluconate
What would these causes result in?
-Excessive intake of Vit. D, Ca+, and antacids
-Hyperthyroidism
-Multiple fractures/prolonged immobilization
Hypercalcemia
What would cause these clinical manifestations?
-Lethargy, confusion
-Deep bone pain
-Flank-pain
-Polyuria
-Altered LOC
-Coma
Hypercalcemia
What regulates muscle contraction?
Magnesium
What would these problems result in?
-GI loss - vomiting, diarrhea, NG suction
-Chronic alcoholism
-Burns, sepsis
-Pancreatitis
Hypomagnesemia
What would cause these clinical manifestations?
-Tremors
-Tachycardia
-Seizures
-Hyperreflexia
-Lethal cardiac dysrhythmias
-Torsade’s
Hypomagnesemia
What would these problems result in?
-Advanced renal failure
-Excessive intake of Mg
-Lithium toxicity
Hypermagnesemia
What would cause these clinical manifestations?
-Facial flushing
-Hyporeflexia
-Drowsiness/lethargy
-Bradycardia
-Respiratory depression
-Absent DTR’s
Hypermagnesemia
What nursing intervention would help a pt with hypermagnesemia?
Calcium gluconate
