electrolyte imbalances Flashcards
What is the hyponatremia range?
< 135 mEq/L
What are some causes of hyponatremia?
- Excessive diaphoresis
- Diuretics
- Inadequate sodium intake (NPO)
- Low salt diet
What are the key symptoms for hyponatremia?
- Behavioral changes
- Confusion
- Seizures/comas
- General muscle weakness
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Abdominal cramping
- Hypotension
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Lightheaded
- Dizziness
What is the hypernatremia range?
> 145 mEq/L
What are some causes of hypernatremia?
- Kidney failure
- Corticosteroids
- Excess oral sodium ingestion
- Excessive administration of sodium-containing IV fluids
What are the key symptoms for hypernatremia?
- Mental status
- Confusion
- Lethargic
- Comatose
- Weakness
- Tachycardia
- Hypotension
- Distended neck veins
What is the hypokalemia range? (Potassium)
< 3.5 mEq/L
What are some causes of hypokalemia?
- Inappropriate or excessive use of drugs: Diuretics/Corticosteroids
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Prolonged nasogastric suction
What are the key symptoms for hypokalemia?
- Shallow respirations
- Muscle weakness
- Irregular pulse
- Orthostatic B/P
- Dysrhythmias
- Altered mental status
- N/V
- Constipation
What is the hyperkalemia range?
> 5.0 mEq/L
What are some causes of hyperkalemia?
- Over ingestion of potassium containing foods or medications: salt substitute/potassium chloride
- Rapid infusion of parenteral administration
- Bolus IV potassium injections
- Kidney failure
- Potassium-sparing diuretics
What are the key symptoms for hyperkalemia?
- EKG Changes
- Irregular pulse
- Muscle weakness
- Paresthesia
- Abdominal cramping
- Diarrhea
What is the hypocalcemia range?
< 9.0 mg/dL
What are some causes of hypocalcemia?
- Inadequate oral intake of calcium
- Lactose intolerance
- Inadequate oral intake of vitamin D
- End stage kidney disease
- Diarrhea
What are the key symptoms for hypocalcemia?
- Numbness and tingling in extremities
- Trousseau’s sign/Chvostek’s sign
- Bradycardia/Tachycardia
- Abdominal cramping
- Hyperactive bowel sounds
- Bone pain
What is the hypercalcemia range?
> 10.5 mg/dL
What are some causes of hypercalcemia?
- Excessive oral intake of calcium
- Excessive oral intake of vitamin D
- Kidney disease
- Use of thiazide diuretics
What are the key symptoms for hypercalcemia?
- Increase HR & BP
- Confused
- Lethargic
- Muscle Weakness
- Anorexia
- N/V
- Abdominal Distention
What is the hypomagnesemia range?
< 1.8 mEq/L
What are some causes of hypomagnesemia?
- Malnutrition
- Starvation
- Diarrhea
- Ethanol ingestion
What are the key symptoms for hypomagnesemia?
- Increase HR, Increase BP
- Dysrhythmias
- Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
- Muscle cramps/contractions
- Chvostek’s/Trousseau’s signs
- Seizures
- Anorexia
- Nausea
- Constipation
What is the hypermagnesemia range?
> 2.6 mEq/L
What are some causes of hypermagnesemia?
- IV magnesium replacement
- Magnesium-containing antacids and laxatives
- Decrease kidney excretion
What are the key symptoms for hypermagnesemia?
- Decrease HR, Decrease BP
- Caution- cardiac arrest
- Drowsy
- Lethargic
- Deep tendon reflex
