Electrolytes Flashcards
what 8 things/processes are electrolytes an essential component of?
volume and osmotic regulation
myocardial rhythm
cofactor in enzyme activation
Regulation of ATP ion pumps
acid-base balance
blood coagulation
neuromuscular excitability
production of ATP from glucose
sodium is the major _______ _______. It determines the _______ of plasma, and it’s needed for ______ transport across the cell membrane.
sodium is the major extracellular cation. It determines the osmolality of plasma, and it’s needed for active transport across the cell membrane
regulation of sodium depends on what? What percent of sodium is reabsorbed?
regulation of sodium depends on intake and excretion of water
60 -75% of sodium reabsorbed. (Maintained by Cl- reabsorption or H+ secretion)
what are symptoms of hyponaturemia?
nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, headache, lethargy, severe symptoms (seizures), coma, respiratory depression
what are three reasons for hyponatremia, and reasons for each of those?
- increased sodium loss
- decreased aldosterone
- diuretics
- ketonuria - increased water retention
- renal failure
- nephrotic syndrome
- hepatic syndrome
- CHF - water imbalance
- excess water intake
- pseudohyponaturemia
what are symptoms of hypernatremia
CNS, altered mental state, lethargy, irritation, restlessness, muscle twitching, fever
what are three causes of hypernatremia
- excess water loss
- diabetes insipidus
- renal tubular disorder
- prolonged diarrhea
- severe burns - decreased water intake
- elderly and infants who cannot ask for water - increased intake or retention
- hyperaldosteronism
- sodium bicarb excess
- dialysis
what is the analysis method for sodium?
ion specific electrodes
what is the reference range for sodium?
136 - 145 mmol/L
Potassium is the major _______ _______. Why is there only 2% of the body’s K+ circulating in the plasma?
it’s the major intracellular cation
there’s only 2% because cellular functions require the body to maintain a low ECF concentration
what are four functions of potassium? How it is potassium regulated?
functions to regulate:
- neuromuscular excitability
- contraction of the heart
- intracellular volume
- H+ concentration
regulation:
- K+ absorbed, and then aldosterone causes K+ to be secreted into urine in exchange for Na+
hypokalemia symptoms and four general reasons for hypokalemia
symptoms: weakness, fatigue, constipation, (and paralysis)
reasons for hypokalemia
1. gastrointestinal loss
2. renal loss
3. cellular shift
4. dehydration
what are four reasons for gastrointestinal loss causing hypokalemia, and six reasons for renal loss causing hypokalemia?
GI loss:
1. vomiting/diarrhea
2. gastric suction
3. intestinal tumor
4. malabsorption’
Renal loss:
1. diuretics
2. nephritis
3. Cushing’s / hypoaldosteronism
4. hypomagnesemia
5. renal tubular acidosis
6. acute leukemia
what are two reasons for cellular shift as they relate to hypokalemia?
cellular shift:
- alkalosis
- insulin overdose
what are 4 symptoms of hyperkalemia? What are four general reasons for potassium decreases?
muscle weakness, tingling, numbness, and mental confusion
decreased renal excretion, cellular shift, increased intake, or artifact
what are three reasons for decreased renal excretion, cellular shift, and artifact as they relate to hyperkalemia?
decreased renal excretion:
1. acute or chronic renal failure
2. hypoaldosteronism
3. Addison’s disease (hypoadrenalcorticalism)
cellular shift:
1. acidosis
2. chemo
3. hemolysis
artifact:
1. sample hemolysis
2. thrombocytosis
3. prolonged tourniquet use during blood draw
what is the reference range for potassium?
3.5 - 5.1 mmol/L
Chloride is the major _______ ______. It maintains what three things?
it is the major extracellular anion/ It maintains osmolality, blood volume. and electroneutrality
After chloride is ingested and then absorbed in the intestine, anything left is reabsorbed where and with what? Excess chloride is excreted in what two places?
it’s reabsorbed in conjunction with sodium in the tubules
excess Cl- is excreted in the urine and sweat
what are five ways to have hypochloremia?
excessive loss from:
1. vomiting
2. diarrhea
3. diabetic ketoacidosis
4. aldosterone deficiency
5. pyelonephritis
what are two ways to have hyperchloremia?
excess loss of bicarbonate due to GI loss of metabolic acidosis