final Flashcards
electrolytes
chemical substances that separate into electrically charged particles (ions) when dissolved in fluids
can conduct electric currents vital for function of nerves and muscles
cations
positively charged electrolytes
what are the major cations
sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium
anions
negatively charged electrolytes
major anions in body’s fluid
chloride, phosphate, sulfate, and bicarbonate
sodium is the major electrolyte in the…
extracellular fluid w/ potassium being present at much lower concentrations
potassium is the major electrolyte in…
intracellular fluid with sodium found in lesser concentrations
metabolic alkalosis happens when
vomiting & NGT suction
metabolic acidosis happens when
diarrhea, renal failure, diabetic acidosis
hyponatremia
low serum sodium
hyponatremia is caused by
excessive sweating, diarrhea, vomiting, NG suction
symptoms of hyponatremia
dizziness, confusion, weakness, low BP, shock
hypernatremia
happens when sodium blood levels become too high because of excessive water loss or sodium ingestion
hypernatremia symptoms
extreme thirst, agitation, dry swollen tongue, restlessness
potassium creates much of the … & is essential for
osmotic pressure in intracellular fluid & neurons & muscle cells
an imbalance in potassium can produce
hypokalemia or hyperkalemia
hypokalemia
blood levels of potassium becomes too low & usually a consequence of vomiting, diarrhea, or kidney disease
symptoms hypokalemia
fatigue, confusion, possible cardiac arrest
hyperkalemia & what is the cause
blood levels of potassium becoming too high
cause = consequence of Addison’s disease
symptoms hyperkalemia
weakness, abnormal sensations, cardiac arrhymias, possible cardiac arrest
calcium maintains…
normal excitability of neurons and muscle cells & is essential for clotting
an imbalance of calcium causes
hypocalcemia / hypercalcemia
hypocalcemia
blood levels of calcium become too low usually because of a decreased function of the parathyroid gland or a decreased calcium intake
symptoms hypocalcemia
muscle spasms leading to tetany (continuous spasm)
hypercalcemia
parathyroid over functions
symptoms of hypercalcemia
muscle weakness, bone fragility, and possible kidney stones
where is phosphate most abundant
bones and teeth
phosphate functions as an
intracellular anion and is part of the nucleic acids (DNA, RNA)
phospholipids and the phosphate buffer system
bicarbonate
part of buffer system
helps regulate blood pH
hypovolemia
decreased volume of circulating blood
causes of hypovolemia
loss of blood, loss of plasma, loss of body sodium and consequent intravascular water (diarrhea)
excessive sweating is not a cause of hypovolemia, because the body eliminates significantly more water than sodium t/f
TRUE
signs and symptoms of hypovolemia
sweating & moist skim, anxiety/agitation, cool clammy skin, confusion, decreased or no urine output, general weakness, pale skin, rapid breathing
nursing interventions for hypovolemia
measure daily weight
assess LOC
measure intake & output
causes of hypervolemia
excessive water intake
excessive intake of sodium from food
IV solutions and blood transfusions
medications
symptoms of hypervolemia
edema
headache
stomach bloating
high BP caused by excess fluid in bloodstream
shortness of breath caused by extra fluid entering lungs and reduce ability to breathe
heart problems, because excess fluid can speed up or slow your heart rate
nursing interventions for hypervolemia
admin diuretics
limit fluid intake
limit sodium
acid-base balance
mechanisms that keep fluids close to neutral pH
homeostasis
chemical reactions that sustain life depend on a delicate balanceof fluids, electrolytes, acids and bases
acid base balance is the regulation of
hydrogen ions
normal range of blood
7.35 to 7.45 (slightly alkaline)
3 regulatory systems maintaining AB balance
chemical buffers, respiratory system, kidneys
chemical buffers
neutralize the offending acid or base imbalance
respiratory system for AB balance
regulates the retention or exhalation of acids
kidneys for AB balance
excrete or retain acids as needed
role of the lungs
release CO2
CO2 gets excreted into blood, blood carries CO2 to lungs where its exhaled
as CO2 accumulates in blood, the pH of blood ….
decreases (acidity increases)
role of kidneys in AB balance
excreting excess acids or bases
adjustments are slower than lungs, compensation takes multiple days
acidosis
excessive acid (not enough base) in blood
decrease in blood pH
alkalosis
excessive base (not enough acid)
increase blood pH
metabolic acidosis
accumulation of hydrogen (acids) or a loss of bicarbonate (base) in extracellular fluid-blood
metabolic acidosis can occur from
overproduction of ketones
diabetes
cardiac failure
starvation
severe infection with fever
impaired kidney function
diarrhea
K+ sparing diuretic
signs and symptoms metabolic acidosis
hyperventilation to compensate for excess acid
drowsiness, disorientation, coma, death
tachycardia, decreased output, decreased BP, warm flushed skin
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
treatment metabolic acidosis
sodium bicarbonate IV to neutralize acidity
maintain IV
dialysis
ventilation
assess LOC
metabolic alkalosis
loss of acid and a gain of bicarbonate
causes metabolic alkalosis
loss of acid from vomiting or NG suctioning
overactive adrenal gland (crushing syndrome)
use of diuretics
kidney disease
symptom of metabolic alkalosis
dizziness, irritability, confusion
tachycardia due to hypokalemia from compensation
tremor, muscle cramps, tingling in fingers/toes
anorexia, nausea, vomiting
assessment of metabolic alkalosis
monitor vitals
watch for muscle weakness
assess LOC
O2 if hypoxic
respiratory acidosis occurs when
excess of CO2 due to hypoventilation
hypoventilation
unable to blow off enough CO2
in acute respiratory acidosis, the pH _____ & the ____ try to compensate by _______
decreases, kidneys, retaining bicarbonate
causes of respiratory acidosis
- hypoventilation
- depression of respiratory centre (OD, brain injury)
- problems with neuromuscular functioning, lung disease or airway obstruction
- mechanical hypoventilation
symptoms of respiratory acidosis
neurological: headache, disorientation, confusion, seizures, coma, death
cardiovascular: tachycardia, decreased blood pressure, warm flushed skin (r/t peripheral vasodilation)
treatment for respiratory acidosis
- focus: improving ventilation
- monitor vital signs & neurological status
- maintain patent airway
- O2 therapy (if ordered)
- provide adequate humidification to moisten secretions
- chest auscultation (good air entry to bases, no crackles or wheezes)
- deep breathing exercises
- careful with sedatives
respiratory alkalosis
rapid, deep breathing (hyperventilation) causes too much CO2 to be expelled from bloodstream
most common cause of respiratory alkalosis & other causes
hyperventilation from anxiety
aspirin overdose, fever, low levels of oxygen in blood, pain
symptoms of respiratory alkalosis
neurological: lethargy, light-headedness, confusion
cardiovascular: tachycardia, dysrhythmias (r/t to hypokalemia from compensation)
GI: nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain
neuromuscular: numbness, tingling of extremities, seizures
treatment of respiratory alkalosis
treat cause = O2 if hypoxic, anti-anxiety meds PRN, controlled breathing exercises
hyperventilation can be treated by….
having the pt breath into paper bag, which forces the pt to rebreathe exhaled CO2, thereby raising CO2 level
asthma
inflammatory disorder of airways
inflammation causes varying degrees of obstruction in airways leading to recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and cough
when asthma most common
at night and early in the morning
pathophysiology of asthma
** reversible narrowing of the airways**
bronchi narrow in response to stimuli that usually do not affect normal lungs — triggering allergens: pollens, dust, feathers
ALLERGENS + ANTIBODY = asthma-causing chemicals released (allergens combined with immunoglobulin e on surface of mast cells) trigger allergic asthma
cells lining the bronchi have microscopic structures called receptors such as
beta-adrenergic
cholinergic
receptors in bronchi regulate airflow by
sensing presence of specific substances & stimulate underlying muscles to contract & relax
causes of asthma
- abnormal sensitivity of cholinergic receptors (muscles of airways contract when they shouldn’t)
- mast cells responsible for initiating response
mast cells throughout bronchi release substances such as histamines & leukotrienes which….
cause smooth muscle to contract, mucus secretion to increase, and certain white blood cells to migrate to area
eosinophils (white blood cell found in airways of people with asthma)
release additional substances, contributing to airway narrowing
during an asthma attack
- smooth muscle layer goes into spasm, narrowing airway
- middle layer swells b/c of inflammation, & more mucus is produced
- some segments of airway, mucus forms plugs that nearly or completely block the airway
what can provoke asthma attacks
cigarette smoke, cold air, viral infection, certain foods (RARE, like shellfish or peanut butter)
stress and anxiety
exercising can cause bronchoconstriction
symptoms of asthma
vary in frequency & severity
some symptom-free, occasional brief mild SOB
cough & wheeze more serious
crying/laughing can bring on symptoms
asthma attacks occur most often in
early morning hours when the effects of protective drugs wear off and the body is least able to prevent bronchoconstriction
coughing may be the only symptoms in some people with asthma
TRUE
an asthma attack may begin suddenly with
wheezing, coughing, and SOB
people first notice SOB, coughing or chest tightness
attack may last minutes, hours, or days
wheezing is particularly noticeable when the person ….
breathes out
what happens when SOB becomes more severe in asthma
creating feeling of severe anxiety
person instinctively sits upright & leans forward, utilizing neck & chest muscles to help breathing but still struggles to inhale enough air
diaphoresis common symptoms due to the increased effort to breath
confusion, lethargy, and cyanosis are signs that person’s O2 supply is severely limited & ……. is needed
emergency treatment
most severe form of asthma
status asthmaticus
in status asthmaticus the lungs are
no longer able to provide the body with adequate O2 or adequately remove CO2
without O2, organs begin to malfunction
build up leads to acidosis