Electrolytes

Question 1

Main electrolytes in body:

Answer 1

• Na+
• K+
• Ca2+
• Mg2+
• Cl-
• PO43-
• CO2-

Question 2

Most common problems arise when ___, ___, and ___ are abnormal

Answer 2

• sodium
• potassium
• calcium

Question 3

T/F: electrolyte level changes when water levels in body change

Answer 3

T

Question 4

Older people are more likely to develop abnormalities in electrolyte levels b/c…

Answer 4

their kidneys don’t function as well

Question 5

How do you measure electrolyte levels?

Answer 5

urine/blood sample

Question 6

Hyponatremia:

Answer 6

low sodium level

Question 7

Hyponatremia is caused by:

Answer 7

• not eating enough sodium from diet
• excreting too much
• being overhydrated
• badly controlled diabetes
• heart failure
• liver failure
• kidney issues

Question 8

Diuretics help kidney…

Answer 8

excrete excess sodium and excess water

- can cause kidney to excrete more sodium than water

Question 9

Too much antidiuretic hormone leads to…

Answer 9

the kidneys retaining water, which leads to hyponatremia

Question 10

Overproduction of antidiuretic hormone is caused by…

Answer 10

• pneumonia
• stroke
• anticonvulsants
• SSRIs

Question 11

Symptoms of hyponatremia:

Answer 11

• confusion
• drowsiness
• muscle weakness
• seizures

Question 12

Treatment of hyponatremia:

Answer 12

gradually and steadily giving sodium and water intravenously

Question 13

Hypernatremia:

Answer 13

high level of sodium

Question 14

Causes of hypernatremia:

Answer 14

• dehydration

- use of diuretics (more water leaves than sodium)

Question 15

Symptoms of hypernatremia:

Answer 15

• thirst (first symptom)
• weak
• sluggish
• confusion
• paralysis
• coma
• seizures

Question 16

Treatment of hypernatremia:

Answer 16

• fluids

- high levels = fluids given intravenously

Question 17

Hypokalemia:

Answer 17

low potassium level

Question 18

Causes of hypokalemia:

Answer 18

• use of diuretics

- diarrhea/vomiting for a long time

Question 19

Hypokalemia for awhile leads to…

Answer 19

the body not producing insulin as much

- level of sugar in body will increases

Question 20

Symptoms of hypokalemia:

Answer 20

• fatigue
• confusion
• muscle weakness
• cramps

Question 21

Very low hypokalemia leads to…

Answer 21

• paralysis

- abnormal heart rhythms

Question 22

Treatment of hypokalemia:

Answer 22

potassium supplements

Question 23

Hyperkalemia:

Answer 23

high potassium level

- more dangerous than hypokalemia

Question 24

Most common causes of hyperkalemia:

Answer 24

• kidney failure

- drugs that reduce amount of potassium being excreted by kidneys (spironolactone/ACE inhibitors)

Question 25

First symptom of hyperkalemia:

Answer 25

abnormal heart rhythm

Question 26

When doctor’s suspect hyperkalemia, _____ is used to help diagnose

Answer 26

electrocardiography (ECG)

Question 27

If heart rate is abnormal during hyperkalemia, calcium is given…

Answer 27

intravenously and immediately, which protects the heart

Question 28

Hypocalcemia:

Answer 28

low level of calcium

Question 29

Causes of hypocalcemia:

Answer 29

• sepsis develops suddenly
• body produces less parathyroid hormone
• deficiency of vitamin D
• don’t spend a lot of time outside
• anticonvulsants phenytoin
• phenobarbital
• underactive thyroid gland
• pancreatitis

Question 30

Vitamin D helps body absorb…

Answer 30

calcium

Question 31

Symptoms of hypocalcemia:

Answer 31

• weakness
• numbness in hands or feet
• confusion
• seizures

Question 32

Treatment of hypocalcemia:

Answer 32

calcium supplements

Question 33

Hypercalcemia:

Answer 33

high calcium level

Question 34

Causes of hypercalcemia:

Answer 34

• bone is broken down and releases calcium into bloodstream
• cancer spreads to bone
• Paget’s disease

Question 35

_______ helps body control level of calcium in blood

Answer 35

parathyroid hormone

Question 36

Abnormally high level of parathyroid hormone leads to…

Answer 36

high calcium level

Question 37

Symptoms of hypercalcemia:

Answer 37

• dehydration
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• vomiting
• confusion

Question 38

Treatment of hypercalcemia:

Answer 38

• rapid treatment for very high levels

- calcitonin and bisphosphonates can be given for short periods of time (decrease rate of bone breaking down)