Electrolyte imbalances Flashcards
Which electrolyte imbalance causes flattened T waves?
hypokalemia
Which electrolyte imbalance causes prolonged QT intervals?
hypocalcemia
Which electrolyte imbalance causes shortened QT intervals?
hypercalcemia
Which electrolyte imbalance causes widened QRS complexes?
hyperkalemia, hypernatremia, hypermagnesemia
What are the signs and symptoms of hypokalemia?
HIPOKS (low and slow)
- Hyporeflexia
- Irregular, weak pulse
- Paresthesia, paralytic ileus
- Orthostatic BP
- Konfusion
- Shallow respirations
- ST depression
- inverted T
- U wave
What are the signs and symptoms of hyperkalemia?
MURDER-I
Muscle cramp
Urinary output decreased
Respiratory distress
Decreased BP
Epilepsy
Reflexes lost, paresthesia
Irregular pulse
Wide QRS
tall T waves
What electrolyte imbalances are patients with DKA at risk for?
hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypochloremia
What EKG changes occur with hypernatremia?
wide QRS, tall T- waves, v-fib
Which electrolyte imbalance causes prominent U waves?
hyponatremia or hypokalemia
What electrolyte imbalances are patients with SIADH at risk for?
hyponatremia, hypokalemia
What electrolyte imbalances are patients with Addison’s disease at risk for?
hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, hypermagnesemia
What are the signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia?
CASTS *muscles
Convulsions
Arrhythmias
Spasms (Chvostek/Trousseau)
Tetany, paresthesia
Which electrolyte imbalance causes prolonged QT intervals?
hypocalcemia
Which electrolyte imbalance causes tall T- waves?
hyperkalemia, hypernatremia
Which electrolyte imbalance causes inverted T-waves?
hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia
What ECG changes does hypokalemia cause?
ST depression, inverted/flattened T waves, U waves
What ECG changes does hypomagnesemia cause?
ST depression, inverted T waves, wide QRS
PVCs
What ECG changes does hypermagnesemia cause?
prolonged QT interval, wide QRS, tall T-waves
What are the signs and symptoms of hypomagnesemia?
“high except GI”
Cardiac: HTN, tachycardia, PVCs
Respiratory: slow respiratory rate
GI: hypoactive bowel, constipation, paralytic ileus
NM: strong DTRs, tetany, Chvostek/Trousseau
CNS: irritability, confusion
What are the signs and symptoms of hypermagnesemia?
“low”
Cardiac: hypotension, bradycardia
Respiratory: slow
GI: diarrhea
NM: absent DTRs, weakness, paralysis
CNS: depression, facial flushing
What are the signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia?
“mah-back MABEK”
Muscle weakness & lost DTRs
Arrhythmia (bradycardia)
Bowel pain, constipation, N/V
Excessive urination
Kidney stones
What is the treatment for hypercalcemia?
calcitonin + corticosteroids or bisphosphonates
What is the treatment for hypocalcemia?
IV calcium gluconate + D5
antiepileptics
parathormone if d/t thyroid disease
Patients with alkalosis are at risk for which electrolyte imbalances?
hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, hyponatremia hypermagnesemia (if d/t antacid/laxative intake)
Patients with acidosis are at risk for which electrolyte imbalances?
hyperkalemia, hyponatremia
What are the signs and symptoms of hyponatremia?
“SALT LOSS”
Stupor/confusion
Abd pain, constipation, N/V
Lethargy, confusion
Tendon reflexes lost
Loss of urination/appetite
Orthostatic hypotension
Shallow respirations
Spasms/seizures
What are the signs and symptoms of hypernatremia?
“FRIED”
Flushed, dry skin/ fever
Restlessness, irritability, confusion
Increased fluid retention, blood pressure high
Edema
Decreased UO, dry mucosa
What are the treatments for hyperkalemia
Kayexelate
sodium bicarbonate
sodium polystyrene, sorbitol laxatives
calcium gluconate
What electrolyte imbalance can digoxin cause?
hypokalemia
Which electrolyte imbalances are patients with Cushing’s disease at risk for?
hypokalemia, hypernatremia,
