Electrolytes - Sodium

Question 1

What is sodium’s normal range?

Answer 1

135-145

Question 2

What is hyponatremia? and what are s/s of it?

what are causes of it?

Answer 2

blood plasma level of less than 135
causes - diuretics, GI fluid loss, sweating, V,D water intoxication
S&S - Depressed & Deflated
1. Neuro - Seizures & Coma
2. Heart - tachycardia, &weak thready pulses
3. Respiratory arrest

Question 3

Sodium has to do with n_______?

Answer 3

neurological stuff & is mostly found in extracellular fluids

Question 4

What is sodium important for?

Answer 4

Nerve & muscle cell function
main cation of extracellular fluid 
Moves out of cell through Na-K pump 
where sodium goes, chloride goes 
Conduction electrical property

Question 5

Hypernatremia? s/s of it? what are causes?

Answer 5

blood plasma over 145
causes - eating a lot of it, excessive water loss, hypertonic IV infusions
s/s - Big & Bloated
1. Skin - flush, edema, low grade fever
2. Polydipsia
3. Late serious Sign - Swollen dry tongue, N&V, increased muscle tone

Question 6

What does aldosterone have to do with sodium?

Answer 6

Aldosterone is produced by Adrenal cortex. Works on the distal convoluted tubule to increase H2O & Sodium reabsorption

Question 7

What does ANP have to do with sodium?

Answer 7

ANP is secreted by Atria in heart in response to high BP. Causes an increase in GFR (allows more urine to be made) then leads to more water & more sodium loss in order to decrease BP.

Question 8

What are seizure precautions?

Answer 8

1. padded side rails
2. suction
3. keep bed in low position

Don’t put anything in pt’s mouth