Electrolytes Flashcards
Main electrolytes in body:
- Na+
- K+
- Ca2+
- Mg2+
- Cl-
- PO43-
- CO2-
Most common problems arise when ___, ___, and ___ are abnormal
- sodium
- potassium
- calcium
T/F: electrolyte level changes when water levels in body change
T
Older people are more likely to develop abnormalities in electrolyte levels b/c…
their kidneys don’t function as well
How do you measure electrolyte levels?
urine/blood sample
Hyponatremia:
low sodium level
Hyponatremia is caused by:
- not eating enough sodium from diet
- excreting too much
- being overhydrated
- badly controlled diabetes
- heart failure
- liver failure
- kidney issues
Diuretics help kidney…
excrete excess sodium and excess water
- can cause kidney to excrete more sodium than water
Too much antidiuretic hormone leads to…
the kidneys retaining water, which leads to hyponatremia
Overproduction of antidiuretic hormone is caused by…
- pneumonia
- stroke
- anticonvulsants
- SSRIs
Symptoms of hyponatremia:
- confusion
- drowsiness
- muscle weakness
- seizures
Treatment of hyponatremia:
gradually and steadily giving sodium and water intravenously
Hypernatremia:
high level of sodium
Causes of hypernatremia:
- dehydration
- use of diuretics (more water leaves than sodium)
Symptoms of hypernatremia:
- thirst (first symptom)
- weak
- sluggish
- confusion
- paralysis
- coma
- seizures
Treatment of hypernatremia:
- fluids
- high levels = fluids given intravenously
Hypokalemia:
low potassium level
Causes of hypokalemia:
- use of diuretics
- diarrhea/vomiting for a long time
Hypokalemia for awhile leads to…
the body not producing insulin as much
- level of sugar in body will increases
Symptoms of hypokalemia:
- fatigue
- confusion
- muscle weakness
- cramps
Very low hypokalemia leads to…
- paralysis
- abnormal heart rhythms
Treatment of hypokalemia:
potassium supplements
Hyperkalemia:
high potassium level
- more dangerous than hypokalemia
Most common causes of hyperkalemia:
- kidney failure
- drugs that reduce amount of potassium being excreted by kidneys (spironolactone/ACE inhibitors)
First symptom of hyperkalemia:
abnormal heart rhythm
When doctor’s suspect hyperkalemia, _____ is used to help diagnose
electrocardiography (ECG)
If heart rate is abnormal during hyperkalemia, calcium is given…
intravenously and immediately, which protects the heart
Hypocalcemia:
low level of calcium
Causes of hypocalcemia:
- 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
Vitamin D helps body absorb…
calcium
Symptoms of hypocalcemia:
- weakness
- numbness in hands or feet
- confusion
- seizures
Treatment of hypocalcemia:
calcium supplements
Hypercalcemia:
high calcium level
Causes of hypercalcemia:
- bone is broken down and releases calcium into bloodstream
- cancer spreads to bone
- Paget’s disease
_______ helps body control level of calcium in blood
parathyroid hormone
Abnormally high level of parathyroid hormone leads to…
high calcium level
Symptoms of hypercalcemia:
- dehydration
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- vomiting
- confusion
Treatment of hypercalcemia:
- rapid treatment for very high levels
- calcitonin and bisphosphonates can be given for short periods of time (decrease rate of bone breaking down)
