Electrolytes Flashcards
What does Na mainly control?
CNS
What does K mainly control?
Heart
What does Ca mainly control?
Neuro
What does Mg mainly control?
Neuro
What are the symptoms of Hyponatraemia?
Seizures, confusion, tiredness, abdo cramps, salt craving, nausea, vomiting, low BP
What are the symptoms of Hypernatraemia?
Crave water, weakness, seizures, decrease in consciousness
What are the causes of hyponatraemia?
Kidney failure, heart failure, diuretics (makes the body get rid of more Na in the urine), antidepressant and pain meds (cause more sweating and urinating), severe vomiting and diarrhoea, polydipisa
What are the causes of hypernatraemia?
Vomiting, diarrhoea, burns, excessive sweating, intrinsic renal disease, loop diuretics, osmotic diuresis, diabetes insipidus, adrenal tumours secreting deoxycorticosterone
What is the treatment of hyponatraemia?
Restrict fluid intake, IV NaCl, Fludrocortisone (Na sparing, used in Addison’s)
What is the treatment in hypernatraemia?
Fluid replacement, Loop diuretics can increase renal Na excretion - but can also cause hyper…..
What are the symptoms of hypoK?
U waves, leg cramps, decreased GI motility, increased DTR
What are the symptoms in hyperK?
Cardiac arrest, weakness, increased GI motility, chest pain, palpitations, brady, decreased DTR, peaked T waves
What are the causes of hypoK?
Excessive K loss from diuretics, vomiting, diarrhoea, CKD, diabetic ketoacidosis, excessive alcohol, primary aldosteronism
What are the causes of HyperK?
Renal insufficiency, metabolic acidosis (K shifts from intracellular to extracellular), AKI, diabetes, cardiovascular disease
What is the treatment for HypoK?
Stop diuretics or laxatives, K sparing drugs, stop vomiting and diarrhoea, oral potassium chloride
ACEi and ARB prevent renal K excretion
What is the treatment for hyperK?
Calcium gluconate, insulin and dextrose
Remove sources of K intake
Correct metabolic acidosis with Na bicarbonate
Salbutamol - encourages K removal
What are the symptoms of hypocalcaemia?
Weak bones, teeth, severe muscle cramps, trousseau, chvosteks sign, increased DTR, seizures
What are the symptoms of hypercalcaemia?
Lethargy, bone pain, decreased DTR
What are the causes of hypocalcaemia?
Hypoparathyroidism, could result from a decrease in albumin (as it is the carrier protein) so liver disease, nephrotic syndrome, malnutrition, hypomagnesemia, hypephosphataemia, PTH deficiency, Vit D resistance
What are the causes of hypercalcaemia?
Primary hyperthyroidism
Associated with malignancy - ectopic PTH secretion
Drugs - thiazide diuretic, vit D, familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia
What is the treatment for hypocalcaemia?
IV calcium gluconate if acute
Ca and Vit D supplements if chronic
What is the treatment for hypercalcaemia?
Fluids, isotonic NaCl. Then a loop diuretic to stop the Na and Ca reabsorption into the thick ascending loop of henle
Reduction in dietary vit D and Ca
Prednisolone can help reduce plasma Ca levels by reducing the intestinal Ca absorption
Oral phosphate can be used to form Ca phosphate in the blood
Calcimimetic - mimics the activation of Ca to activate PTH
What are the symptoms of hypomagnesemia?
Tremors, increased DTR, tachy, confusion
What are the symptoms of hypermagnesemia?
Vasodilation, nausea, vomiting, weakness, hypotensive, decreased DTR, cardiac arrest
What are the causes for hypomg?
Increased excretion due to hypercalcaemia, furosemide, inadequate intake, impairment of renal conservation or GI absorption Alcoholism Chronic PPI use Pregnancy and lactation DKA
What are the causes of hypermg?
renal failure Excessive intake Hypothyroidism Addison disease Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcaemia, milk alkali syndrome and depression
What is the treatment of hypomg?
Increase green veg intake
IV mg
What is the treatment for hyperMg?
Calcium gluconate (antagonises the toxic effect of the mg) Diuretics promote Mg excretion Glucose and insulin can help to promote Mg entry into the cell
