Electrolytes (M) Flashcards
What are the foods that are sources of electrolytes and what is the corresponding electrolyte that can be obtained in these foods?
1) Table salt (Na)
2) Banana (K)
3) Nuts (Mg)
4) Milk (Ca)
What does the term “electrolytes” mean when these are ordered on an individual in the clinical lab?
The term is understood to mean the measurement of serum Na, K, Cl, and total carbon dioxide (bicarbonate)
How are the serum concentration of Na, K, Cl, and HCO3 quantified?
Via the use of ion-selective electrodes (ISEs)
What is the major cation of extracellular fluid (ECF)?
Na^+
What is the normal reference range of Na?
135 - 145 mmol/L
Changes in Na result to what?
Changes in plasma volume
What is the largest constituent of plasma osmolality?
Na
When is Na excreted in the urine?
When the renal threshold for serum exceeds 110 - 130 mmol/L
What is hyponatremia?
It occurs when serum Na lvl is < 135 mmol/L
*What are the 2 types of hyponatremia?
1) Depletional hyponatremia
2) Dilutional hyponatremia
What are the causes of depletional hyponatremia?
1) Diuretics
2) Hypoaldosteronism (Addison disease)
3) Diarrhea
4) Vomiting
5) Severe burns
6) Trauma
What are the causes of dilutional hyponatremia?
1) Overhydration
2) Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)
3) Congestive heart failure (CHF)
4) Cirrhosis
5) Nephrotic syndrome
What is hypernatremia?
It occurs when serum Na lvl is 150 mmol/L >
When does hypernatremia usually occur?
1) When H2O is lost as through:
a. Diarrhea
b. Excessive sweating
c. Diabetes insipidus
2) When Na is retained as through:
a. Acute ingestion
b. Hyperaldosteronism
3) Infusion of hypertonic solutions during dialysis
What is the major intracellular cation?
Potassium (K^+)
What is the normal reference range for K?
3.4 - 5.0 mmol/L
Do any hemolysis affect the serum K results? Why or why not?
Yes, because the concentration of K in RBCs is higher > in serum
What is the result of hemolysis to pt’s serum K lvls?
This is falsely increased
What is hypokalemia?
It occurs when serum K lvl is < 3.0 mmol/L
What are the causes of hypokalemia?
1) Decreased dietary intake
2) Hyperaldosteronism
3) Diuretics
4) Vomiting
5) Diarrhea
6) Laxative abuse
7) Excess insulin (w/c causes increased cellular uptake of K)
What is hyperkalemia?
It occurs when serum K lvl is 5.0 mmol/L >
What are the causes of hyperkalemia?
1) Increased intake
2) Renal failure
3) Hypoaldosteronism
4) Metabolic acidosis
5) Increased RBC lysis
6) Leukemia
7) Chemotherapy
What is the major anion of ECF?
Chloride (Cl^-)
What is the normal reference range for Cl?
98 - 107 mmol/L
Cl lvls change proportionally w/ what?
Na
What is hypochloremia?
It occurs when serum Cl lvl is < 98 mmol/L
What are the causes of hypochloremia?
1) Excessive vomiting
2) Use of diuretics
3) Burns
4) Aldosterone deficiency
What is hyperchloremia?
It occurs when serum Cl lvl is 107 mmol/L >
What are the causes of hyperchloremia?
1) Prolonged diarrhea
2) Renal tubular disease
3) Dehydration
4) Excess loss of HCO3
What is the 2nd largest anion fraction of ECF?
Bicarbonate (HCO3^-)
What is the normal reference range for HCO3?
22 - 29 mmol/L
Clinically, the concentration of total carbon dioxide (ctCO2) is measured because what?
Because it is difficult to measure HCO3
What are the components of ctCO2?
1) Primarily HCO3
2) Smaller amt of carbonic acid (H2CO3)
3) Smaller amt of carbamino bound CO2
4) Smaller amt of dissolved CO2