Electrolytes Flashcards
Hypernatremia causes
decreased water intake, excessive intake of salt, insensible water loss (ie. heatstroke, high fever), diarrhea, DI
Hypernatremia s/s
intense thirst
sticky mucus membranes
dry lips
flushed skin
red, rough, dry tongue
CNS: disorientation, lethergy hallucinations
Hypernatremia treatment
PO water, IV infusions w/ salt free (ex/ 5W or 0.9/0.45 NS)
Hyponatremia causes
Water intoxication
Excessive loss of sodium (GI, burns, wounds)
Adrenal insufficiency
Incorrect rehydration after profuse sweating/loss of fluid
Hyponatremia s/s
Cold, clammy skin
Dry mucous membranes
Rapid, weak, thread pulse
Orthostatic hypotension
n/v, diarrhea, ab cramps
CNS: indifference, confusion, irritability, feeling of doom
Hyponatremia treatment
restrict water, loop diuretics, isotonic solution
Hyperkalemia causes
Excessive intake
Shift K out of cells: trauma, cell lysing, infection, crush injuries, severe bruns, sepsis, acidosis
Hyperkalemia s/s
Hyperactivity of smooth muscles: ab cramps, diarrhea, hyperactive bowel sounds
EKG: irregular, slow HR
Muscle twitching (early) to paralysis (late)
Increase deep tendon reflexes
Lower extremity weakness
CNS: irritability, anxiety
Hyperkalemia treatment
increase fluids and diuretics, kayexalate, IV insulin w/ glucose, dialysis
Hypokalemia causes
Loss: diarrhea, vomiting, NG suctioning
Inadequate intake: starvation, diet low in potassium
Giving a lot of insulin for DKA
Hypokalemia s/s
Paresthesia (pins and needles), decreased reflexes
Weak, thread pulse
Muscle weakness, leg cramps
Fatigue
Abdominal distension, constipation, n/v
Hypokalemia treatment
potassium supplement
potassium is NEVER given IV push, IM, or SQ; IV potassium is always diluted and administered using infusion devices
Hypercalcemia causes
Hyperparathyroidism (increase PTH)
Malignancies (w/ or w/o bone involvement)
Prolonged immobility (loss of bone density)
Hypercalcemia s/s
Lethargy, weakness
Dereased muscle tone
Depressed reflexes
Flank pain d/t kidney stone
Cardiac arrest
Hypercalcemia treatment
hydration, loop diuretics, synthetic calcitonin
Hypocalcemia causes
Decreased intake, poor absorption
Vitamin D deficiency
Kidney failure
Surgical removal of part of parathyroid
Hypocalcemia s/s
Muscle cramps
Hyperactive reflexes
Depression, anxiety, confusion
Tetany, seizures
Positive chvotek’s and trousseau’s
Hypocalcemia treatment
calcium replacement, increase dietary intake, calcium gluconate
Hypermagnesemia causes
Increase intake and renal insufficiency
Excess IV magnesium (often given for preeclampsia)
Hypermagnesemia s/s
Lethargy
Facial flushing
Hypotension
n/v
Impaired reflexes: weakened or delayed, deep tendon reflexes
Hypermagnesemia treatment
limiting intake, fluid and diuretics/dialysis, calcium gluconate
Hypomagnesemia causes
GI fails to absorb Mg d/t:
Excessive fluid loss from GI
Fasting or starvation
Alcoholism
Medications like PPIs and some diuretics
Uncontrolled BS
Hypomagnesemia s/s
(similar to hypocalcemia)
Muscle cramps
Hyperactive reflexes
Depression, anxiety, confusion
Tetany, seizures
Positive Chvostek and Trousseau’s
Hypomagnesemia treatment
oral supplement, increase dietary intake, IV Mg sulfate
