Electrolytes

Question 1

normal lab value for sodium?

Answer 1

135-145 mEq/L

Question 2

what is sodium responsible for?

Answer 2

-responsible for amount of water retained or excreted
-required for transmission on impulses across muscle/nerves (sodium pump)
-changes in sodium level alters water balance.

Question 3

what is sodium maintained by and what regulates it?

Answer 3

maintained by GFR and the release of aldosterone.
-regulated by aldosterone.

Question 4

what causes hyponatremia?

Answer 4

-sweating
-diuretics
-lack of dietary intake
-heart failure

Question 5

What causes hypernatremia?

Answer 5

-Na intake
-dehydration
-heart failure
-SIADH

Question 6

signs and symptoms of hyponatremia

Answer 6

-hypotension
confusion
headache
lethargy
seizures
decreased muscle tone
muscle twitching
tremors
vomiting
diarrhea
cramping
cells swell

Question 7

signs and symptoms of hypernatremia?

Answer 7

confusion
thirst
hypertension
tachycardia
restlessness
seizures
coma
hyperreflexia
muscle twitching
N&V
cells shrink

Question 8

what should you avoid when dealing with hyponatremia?

Answer 8

increasing Na levels too quickly bec it can cause CNS irritation, pulmonary edema.

Question 9

what do you do if you suspect muscle weakness in regards to sodium levels?

Answer 9

assess respiratory status

Question 10

Normal ranges of chloride?

Answer 10

95-105 mEq/L

Question 11

how does chloride work with sodium?

Answer 11

-works with sodium to regulate body fluids through osmotic pressures.
-where sodium goes, chloride goes.
-with sodium, maintains osmolarity of ECF space.

Question 12

how does chloride work?

Answer 12

works with Mg and Ca
-maintain nerve transmission and normal muscle contraction and relaxation.
-maintains resting membrane potential of cells.

Question 13

what is the danger zone of chloride?

Answer 13

<80 and >115

Question 14

what causes hyperchloridemia?

Answer 14

Cl gain
decreased excretion
fluid shifts

Question 15

what causes hypochloridemia?

Answer 15

Cl loss
inadequate intake or absorption
fluid shifts

Question 16

signs and symptoms of hyperchloridemia?

Answer 16

BP changes
increased HR
edema
agitation
headache
changes in LOC
nausea
weakness

Question 17

signs and symptoms of hypochloridemia?

Answer 17

BP changes, increased HR, hypotension, confusion, disorientation, muscle spasms, bradypnea, shallow resps.

Question 18

what drugs can increase Cl?

Answer 18

-ammonium chloride/KCl
-NaCl

Question 19

what drugs decrease Cl?

Answer 19

-RL
-sodium bicarb

Question 20

normal ranges of calcium?

Answer 20

2.3-2.8 mmol/L

Question 21

where is calcium mainly located in?

Answer 21

bone

Question 22

what is calcium needed for?

Answer 22

blood coagulation, neuromuscular contraction, enzymatic activities, bone integrity.

Question 23

what is calcium regulated by?

Answer 23

parathyroid hormone
calcitonin
calcitriol

Question 24

calcium is absorbed in the intestines only in the presence of __________.

Answer 24

vitamin D

Question 25

calcium and _______ work together.

Answer 25

magnesium

Question 26

calcium and ________ have inverse relationships.

Answer 26

phosphorous

Question 27

what could happen if a patient has hypocalcemia?

Answer 27

may result in rapid onset of acute life-threatening conditions such as seizures or respiratory distress.

Question 28

what causes hypercalcemia?

Answer 28

-increased absorption
-calcium release from bone
-increased available Ca

Question 29

what causes hypocalcemia?

Answer 29

-decreased intake or absorption
-decreased available Ca
-increased renal excretion
-Ca loss

Question 30

how would you assess for abnormal calcium levels?

Answer 30

Chvostek’s and Trousseau’s sign

Question 31

what do you give to a patient if they have hypocalcemia?

Answer 31

IV calcium chloride

Question 32

Normal ranges of potassium?

Answer 32

3.5-5.1 mEq/L