Electrolytes

Question 1

Sodium (Common food sources)

Answer 1

Bacon, butter, canned food, cheese, Frankfurters, ketchup, lunch meat, milk, mustard, processed food, snack food, soy sauce, table salt, white and whole wheat bread

Question 2

Potassium (Common food sources)

Answer 2

Avocado, bananas, cantaloupe, carrots, fish, mushrooms, oranges, potatoes, pork, beef, veal, raisins, spinach, strawberries, tomatoes

Question 3

Calcium (Common food sources)

Answer 3

Cheese, collard greens, milk and soy milk, rhubarb, sardines, spinach, tofu, yogurt

Question 4

Magnesium (Common food sources)

Answer 4

Avocado, canned white tuna, cauliflower, green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli, milk, oatmeal, peanut butter, peas, pork, beef, chicken, potatoes, raisins, yogurt

Question 5

Phosphorus (Common food sources)

Answer 5

Fish, organ meats, nuts, pork, beef, chicken, whole-grain breads and cereals

Question 6

Sodium - normal serum value

Answer 6

135-145 mEq/L

Question 7

Potassium - normal serum value

Answer 7

3.5 - 5.0 mEq/L

Question 8

Sodium imbalances usually associated with…

Answer 8

Fluid volume imbalances

Question 9

Causes of hyponatremia

Answer 9

Increased sodium excretion : excessive diaphoresis, diuretics, vomiting, diarrhea, wound drainage (esp. GI), renal disease, dec. secretion of aldosterone

Inadequate sodium intake: NPO, low salt diet

Dilution of serum sodium: hypotonic fluid excess, renal failure, freshwater drowning, SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion), hyperglycemia, CHF

Question 10

S/S hyponatremia (cardiovascular)

Answer 10

Symptoms vary with changes in vascular volume

Normovolemic: rapid pulse rate, normal blood pressure

Hypovolemic: thready, weak, rapid pulse rate; hypotension, flat neck veins; normal or low central venous pressure

Hypervolemic: rapid, bounding pulse; blood pressure normal or elevated; normal or elevated central venous pressure

Question 11

S/S hyponatremia (respiratory)

Answer 11

Late manifestation - shallow, ineffective respiratory movement r/t skeletal muscle weakness

Question 12

S/S hyponatremia (neuromuscular)

Answer 12

Generalized skeletal muscle weakness that is worse in extremities, diminished DTRs

Question 13

S/S hyponatremia (central nervous system)

Answer 13

HA, personality changes, confusion, seizures, coma

Question 14

S/S hyponatremia (GI)

Answer 14

increased motility, hyperactive bowel sounds, nausea, abdominal cramping and diarrhea

Question 15

S/S hyponatremia (renal)

Answer 15

increased urine output

Question 16

S/S hyponatremia (integumentary)

Answer 16

dry mucous membranes

Question 17

Urine specific gravity in hyponatremia

Answer 17

Decreased urine specific gravity