Electrolytes Flashcards
What is an ion?
An ion is any atom or group of atoms that bears one or more positive or negative electrical charges
What is it called when an ion is positively charged?
Cation
What is it called when an ion is negatively charged?
Anion
What are the common cations that we pay attention to?
Sodium
Potassium
Magnesium
Calcium
What are the common anions we pay attention to?
Chloride and bicarbonate
What is one of sodium’s primary role in the body?
Helps regulate the distribution of water in the body
What are the normal values for sodium?
135-145 mEq/L
Where is most of the bodies sodium found in regards to the cell?
In the extracellular compartment
What can cause hypernatremia?
Water loss > sodium loss
Pure water loss
Increase in total body sodium
What can cause water loss that outpaces sodium loss?
Osmotic and loop diuretics’
Postobstructive nephropathy
Sweating
Diarrhea
What can cause pure water loss leading to hypernatremia?
Diabetes insipidus
Excessive sweating
What are the types of hyponatremia?
hypovolemic hyponatremia
euvolemic hyponatremia
hypervolemic hypernatremia
What is one of the roles of potassium in the body?
Critical role in mediating electrical impulses in nerves and muscles including the heart
What is the normal range for potassium?
3.5-4.5 mEq/L
Where is potassium generally found in regards to the cell?
Intracellular space
What drugs can cause hypokalemia?
Albuterol
Epinephrine
Dopamine
How do certain drugs cause hypokalemia?
The cause a transcellular shift of potassium into the cell
True or false: Diuresis can cause hypokalemia?
True
What is the most common cause of non-renal related hypokalemia?
Diarrhea
What are the symptoms of hypokalemia?
Muscle weakness
Altered mental status
EKG changes
How does hypokalemia change an EKG?
Decreases amplitude of T waves
Decreased S-T segment
Prominent U waves
How can hypokalemia be treated?
Eliminate beta agonists
KCL for metabolic alkalosis
KHCO3 for renal tubular acidosis
What is insulins role in hyperkalemia?
Insulin promotes the uptake of potassium into cells of the muscles and liver. Without insulin, potassium will remain in the extracellular space
