Electrolytes Flashcards
What are electrolytes
Positive and neg ions (cations and anions) found in fluid components of cells
Organ that regulates electrolytes and water balance
Kidney
Function of sodium (Na) in blood
Maintain osmolality of blood and tissue fluids, maintain water distribution across cell membranes (isotonic)
Causes of hyponatremia
(Too little blood Na) Excessive loss (v/d, renal disease, Addison’s disease, diabetes mellitus)
How Addison’s disease causes hyponatremia
Arsenal gland destroyed, lack of aldosterone made by adrenal gland, aldosterone regulates salt in body by telling kidney to absorb sodium (and CL) and excrete K, no aldosterone= no sodium absorption= loss of Na
How diabetes mellitus causes hyponatremia
excessive urination causes loss of Na
Samples used to test electrolyte levels
Plasma from heparinized sample
Why we cannot use citrate or oxylate for a plasma sample from an Na electrolyte Test
Contain Na
Why we cannot use hemolized plasma for electrolyte test
Electrolytes inside RBCs released
Tests done to test electrolyte levels
Automatic analyzers, flame photometry, ion specific electrode
Causes of hyperkalemia
(Increased K) Kidney disease (decreased secretion), Addison’s disease (Na out , K not excreted)
Why hyperkalemia is a serious issue
Can cause cardiac arrest and death
Causes of hypokalemia
(Decreased K)
Loss Bc excessive v/d, diuretics
(Iatrogenic loss due to med) K excreted before it can be saved
What Iatrogenic means
Condition produced Bc of treatment
Role of Chloride (Cl)
Maintain water balance and osmotic pressure (moves w Na)
