Electrolytes Flashcards
Ammonia
15-110 mg/dL
Ammonia: Waste product of bacteria found in intestines during digestion of protein. Elevated levels in blood suggest liver disease, kidney failure, or rare genetic disorders. Can help diagnose encephalopathy or Reyes syndrome. Tested with altered LOC’s, frequent vomiting, unusual sleepiness during recovery from viral illness, such as flu or chickenpox.
Ceruloplasmin
15-60 mg/dl
Ceruloplasmin: copper-containing enzyme mineral that plays role in body’s iron metabolism. Liver binds copper to a protein to produce ceruloplasmin then release it in the bloodstream. About 95% of bloods copper is bound to ceruloplasmin. Test can help to determine Wilson disease, an inherited disorder that can lead to excessive storage of copper in the liver, brain, other organs.
Chloride
98-106 mEq/L
Chloride: a negatively charged ion that works with other electrolytes, such as potassium, sodium, bicarb to help body maintain acid-base balance. Highest concentration is found in blood and fluid outside cells. Part of basic metabolic panel or comprehensive metabolic panel blood test. Increased levels indicate dehydration, Cushing’s syndrome, kidney disease, hyperventilating (too much “base” is lost from body). Low levels (hypochloremia) can occur with CHF, vomiting, prolonged gastric suction, Addison’s disease, emphysema.
Copper
70-150 ug/dl (micrograms per deciliter)
Copper: essential mineral that body incorporates into enzymes that play role in metabolism. Tested for pt’s with jaundice, fatigue, abd pain, behavioral changes, tremors, etc. found in many foods, including nuts, chocolate, mushrooms, shellfish, whole grains, dried fruits, liver, some drinking water.
Creatinine
0.8-1.3 mg/dl
Creatinine: reveals important info. about kidney function. Creatinine is a chemical waste product produced by muscles metabolism. Kidneys filter it (glomerular filtration rate) and excrete it through urine. Elevated levels may indicate kidney dysfunction. May temporarily elevate if dehydrated, have low blood volume, excessive meat eating, or take certain meds.
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
10-20 mg/dl
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): evaluates kidney function. Urea is final degradation of protein and amino acid catabolism. Ammonia formed is synthesized to urea in liver and the excess nitrogen in the body is excreted. Test not as good as creatinine for kidney function.
Ferritin: (men) and (women)
12-300 ng/ml (men)
12-150 ng/ml (women)
Ferritin: a blood cell protein that contains iron. Test is used to determine how much iron the body is storing. If low levels, could indicate anemia. High levels, could indicate liver disease, alcohol abuse.
Glucose
65-110 mg/dl
Glucose: simple sugar, body’s main energy source, screens for diabetes.
Phosphorus (phosphate)
2.5 - 4.5 mg/dL
Phosphorous: phosphate is is the same as phosphorus and is a mineral that’s vital for energy production, muscle, nerve function, and bone growth, as well as a buffer, helping maintain body’s acid-base balance. Phosphate combines with calcium to help form bones and teeth. Ingested through foods - beans, peas, nuts, dairy, eggs, beef, chicken, fish. Excreted through kidneys. Deficiency - muscle weakness, confusion. Excess s/s are similar- muscle cramps, confusion, seizures.
Calcium
8.5-10.5 mg/dL
Calcium: one of the most important and abundant minerals in the body that’s essential for cell signaling, proper functioning of muscles, nerves, heart; needed for blood clotting, crucial for bone formation, density, and maintenance. 99% found in bones, 1% in blood. Half calcium is “free” and half is “bound” mainly to albumin and some to globulins. Hypocalcemia s/s - abd cramps, muscle cramps, tingling fingers, trousseau sign (carpal pedal spasm with BP cuff). Hypercalcemia s/s - fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, N/V, constipation, abd pain, urinary frequency, increased thirst.
Magnesium
1.5-2 mEq/L
Magnesium: vital mineral for energy production, muscle contraction, nerve function, and bone maintenance. Derived through diet, stored in bones, cells, tissues. 1% present in blood. Foods containing- green vegetables like spinach, whole grains, nuts, and fiber containing foods. Hypermagnesemia - can happen with ingestion of antacids; s/s - nausea, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, irregular heart rate. Hypomagnesia s/s - similar; nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, confusion, muscle cramps, seizures, changes in heart rate (cardiac arrhythmias - torsades), numbness/tingling.
Potassium
3.5-5 mEq/L
Potassium (K): Predominately an intracellular electrolyte vital for functioning of all living cells. Helps transport nutrients into cells and remove waste products; important in muscle function, transmits transmission of nerves and muscles; test measures amount of K in blood and/or urine. Maintains acid-base balance. Mainly comes from foods. Levels controlled by aldosterone from adrenal glands of kidneys. Hypokalemia - diarrhea, diuretics, shock, resp failure, heart rhythm disturbances, altered nerve and muscle function, heart may lose ability to contract. Hyperkalemia - seen in kidney disease, Addison disease, tissue injury, infection, diabetes, dehydration, can become elevated with NSAIDS, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers or potassium sparing diuretics.
Pyruvate
300-900 ug/dl
Pyruvate: end product of glycolysis, derived from additional sources in cellular cytoplasm, destined for transport in mitochondria, drives ATP production through citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle), key ingredient in metabolic pathways.
Sodium
135-145 mEq/L
Sodium: extracellular electrolyte present in all body fluids and vital to normal function including nerve and muscle. Determines hypo/hyper-natremia.
Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)
240 - 450 mcg/dL
Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC): gauges whether there is too much or too little iron in the blood. Once iron enters the body through diet intake, a protein called transferrin (produced in the liver) carries the iron through the blood. Low levels s/s - weak, tired, skin pallor, increased infections, always feeling cold, swollen tongue, difficulty concentrating, delayed development. High iron s/s - painful joints, change in skin color to bronze/gray, abd pain, sudden wt loss, low sex drive, hair loss, irregular heart rhythm.
