Electrolyte Imbalances Flashcards
Sodium Function (Na+)
helps maintain blood volume and blood pressure
Potassium Function (K+)
helps muscles contract (including the heart muscle)
Calcium Function (Ca)
helps with heart function, blood clotting & bone formation
Magnesium Function (Mg+)
helps muscles and nerves stay healthy, helps regulate energy levels
Phosphorus Function (P)
helps create / maintain teeth and bones, helps to repair cells and body tissue
Chloride (Cl)
helps maintain acid-base balance, helps to control fluid levels in the cells
Hypernatremia
> 145 mEq/L
Hypernatremia S/Sx
FRIED SALT
flushed skin, restless, increased BP (fluid retention), edema (pitting), decreased urine output, dry skin, agitation, low-grade fever, thirst (dry mucous membranes)
Hypernatremia Risk Factors
Increased Na+ intake, oral ingestion, admin of fluids with sodium (hypertonic IV fluids)
loss of fluids from fever, burns, diabetes insipidus
Hypernatremia Treatment
restrict sodium intake
admin IV fluids if due to fluid loss: isotonic or hypotonic solutions
Hyponatremia
<135 mEq/L
Hyponatremia S/Sx
SALT LOSS
stupor/coma, anorexia, lethargy, tachycardia, limp muscles, orthostatic hypotension, seizures/headache, stomach cramping (hyperactive bowels)
Hyponatremia Risk Factors
loss of Na+ from the 5Ds:
diaphoresis, diarrhea & vomiting, drains (NGT suction), diuretics, SiaDh (dilution)
Hyponatremia Treatment
admin of fluids (hypertonic solutions)
place patient on seizure precaution
place patient on fluid restriction if due to SIADH (they are in fluid volume overload)
place patient on airway protection (NPO) - never give food or water to a patient whol is lethargic, confused, or in a comatose state
2 Types of Hyponatremia
1) Hypovolemic Hyponatremia
2) Hypervolemic Hyponatremia
Hypovolemic Hyponatremia
from decreased levels of fluid and sodium
Hypervolemic Hyponatremia
from increased levels of water in the body which dilutes the sodium
Potassium Imbalance (K+)
Hyperkalemia and Hypokalemia
Hyperkalemia S/Sx
MURDER
muscle cramps & weakness, urine abnormalities, respiratory distress, decreased cardiac contractility (decrease HR, decrease BP), EKG changes - tall, peaked T waves, reflexes (decrease in DTR - deep tendon reflexes)
Hyperkalemia
> 5mEq/L
muscles contract for TOO long = tight and contracted
Hyperkalemia Risk Factors
-intake of too much potassium (IV fluids with K +)
-adrenal gland issues (insufficiency)
-non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs - ibuprofen, naproxen)
-potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone)
Hyperkalemia Treatment
STOP Potassium intake (IV/PO)
-Admin meds - IV sodium bicarbonate, IV calcium gluconate
-EKG monitoring: potassium imbalances can cause cardiac dysrhythmias that can be life threatening
Hypokalemia
<3.5 mEq/L
-generalized muscle weakness
Hypokalemia S/Sx
-weak muscles and less contraction
-decrease in reflexes
-shallow breathing
-slowing of GI system (constipation)
-decrease in BP (especially with position change)
-N/V/bloating
-EKG changes (low levels of K can cause flattened T waves, or inversion of the T-wave)
Hypokalemia Risk Factors
-low K intake (not eating, NPO diet)
-V/D
- gastric suction
-alkalosis
-potassium-wasting diuretics (loop or thiazide)