electrolytes 2 (Na+, K+, Cl-,HCO3-) Flashcards
major cation ECF
Na+ ( 90%)
- maintains water distribution & osmotic pressure
- intake 130-260 mmol NaCl
- body uses 1-2 mmol/day the rest is excreted
ATPase ion Pump
Na+ & K+ move between ICF & ECF by Na+/K+ ATPase ion pump
- 3 Na+ ions move out in exchange for 2 K+ ions as ATP is converted to ADP
- water follows Na+ out of cell which prevents osmotic rupture*
3 processes for regulation of sodium
- intake of H2O in response to thirst
- stimulated/supppressed by plasma osmolality - excretion of H2O
- in response to AVP ( causes water to be reabsorbed) - excretion of Na+
- involves aldosterone, angiotensin ll & atrial natiuretic peptide (ANP)
sodium specimen collection
- serum
- heparinized plasma ( lithium heparin )
- urine ( random or 24hr)
- not significantly affected by hemolysis ( but if grossly hemolyzed Na+ decreased
bc of dilution) - refrigerate or freeze for delayed analysis
methods of analysis - sodium
chemical methods- outdated
flame emission spectrophometry
atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS)
ion- selective electrodes (ISEs)
- most common method in clinical labs
Sodium electrode
- a glass ion-exchange membrane is used for Na+ measurement
- Na+ interacts with the tip ( measuring electrode) producing a potential that is dependent on the activity/concentration of Na+
- reference electrode maintains a constant potential
- difference in potential between the reference & measuring electrodes = the activity of Na+
direct vs indirect measurement for ISEs
Direct
- undiluted
- elevated lipid/proteins don’t interfere
- more accurate
Indirect
- diluted
- increased lipids & proteins cause electrolyte exclusion effect
electrolyte exclusion effect
- excess lipids or proteins displace plasma water
- less aqueous phase gets added to the diluent
- causes Pseudohyponatremia***- falsely decreased Na+ concentration
Sodium electrode -sources of error
protein build up on electrode membranes through continuous use
- causes poor selectively & poor reducibility for results
solution
- routine maintenance to remove protein build up
VITROS analyzers slide
use disposable ISE slides
- drop of sample & reference fluid are applied at same time
- dry slide technology
Hyponatremia
Na+ level < 135 mmol/L
caused by
- increased Na+ loss ; hypoaldsosteronism, K+ deficiency, diuretics, ketonuria
- Increased H2O retention; renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, CHF
- water imbalance; excessive water intake, pseudohyponatremia
hypernatremia
Na+ >145mmol/L
caused by
- increased intake or retention; hyperaldosteronism, excess salt ingestion
- excess H2O loss; diabetes insipidus, profuse sweating
- decreased H2O intake; older ppl or infants, mental impairment
Sodium reference ranges
- serum/plasma
- critical
serum/plasma: 135-145 mm/L ( CSF is around the same)
critical <120 or >160 mmol/L
major cation in ICF
potassium (K+)
- dietary requirement : 50-150mmol/day
- small amount used, most excreted by kidneys ( not stored well)
- K+ conc regulates neuromuscular excitability, heart contractions
- too low or too high can lead to cardiac arrest
regulation of potassium
- nearly all K+ is reabsorbed in the proximal tubules of the kidney
- additional K+ is secreted into urine in exchange for Na+
- any excess K+ consumed in the diet is excreted in the urine; can accumulate to toxic levels in renal failure
factors that influence distribution of K+
K+ loss due to Na+, K+ ATPase pump inhibition
- hypoxia, hypomagnesemia, digoxin overdose
Insulin promotes acute entry of K+ into skeletal muscle & liver by increase Na+,K+ATPase activity
Catecholamines like epinephrine ( beta- stimulator) promote entry of K+ into cells
Propanolol ( beta-blocker) impairs entry of K+ into cells
excercise
- K+ released from muscle cells during excercise
- fist pumping during venipuncture can cause falsely high K+ levels
cellular breakdown
- damage to RBCs releases K+ into ECF
Specimen collection - potassium
serum
plasma ( heparin preferred)
don’t use EDTA ( K2 EDTA contains potassium )
urine ( random or 24 hr)
Minimize hemolysis ( hemolysis falsely increases K+ results )
separate plasma/ serum from cells ASAP or may give false increased K+
methods of measurement for Potassium
flame photometry
-older method q
ion-selective electrodes (ISEs)
-most routinely used