Fluid and Electrolyte Disorders (Part 2) Flashcards
Which electrolytes are highly regulated by kidneys, need prominent renal reabsorption, and are large intracellular concentrations?
K+ and Mg 2+
Which electrolytes have large bony deposits and are regulated by vitamin D and the parathyroid hormone (PTH)?
Ca 2+ and Phosphate
Normal serum K+ levels
3.5 - 5 mEq/L
Define hypokalemia
< 3.5 mEq/L
What are the main causes of hypokalemia?
- Intracellular shifting
- Total body deficit
- Hypomagnesemia
In hypokalemia patients, why does intracellular shifting happen?
- Metabolic alkalosis
- Drugs: albuterol, insulin, theophylline
In hypokalemia patients, why does total body deficit happen?
- Poor intake of dietary potassium
- Excessive loss due to renal (diuretics, amphotericin B) or extra-renal (vomiting, diarrhea)
(T/F) - The clinical presentation of hypokalemia can be variable and independent on the degree of hypokalemia
FALSE - it’s variable and DEPENDENT on the degree of hypokalemia
What are some symptoms from hypokalemia?
- Muscle cramping/impaired muscle contractions
- Severe EKG changes: ST segment depression or flattening
- Cardiac arrhythmias (heart block, ventricular fibrillation)
If patient has hypokalemia, what is the first treatment option?
Treat underlying cause
If the patient has mild (3.0 - 3.5 mEq/L) hypokalemia, what is the best treatment?
Oral K+ supplements
What is a main adverse effect from oral K+ supplements?
GI upset (to reduce, give patient < 20 mEq of K+)
Once hypomagnesemia has been treated in hypokalemia patients and they’re asymptomatic, what should be given for treatment?
Oral K+ supplements
Once hypomagnesemia has been treated in hypokalemia patients and they’re symptomatic, what should be given for treatment?
IV K+ replacements
What are the types of IV K+ replacements given to hypokalemic patients?
Peripheral line
Central line
The maximum dose for a central line K+ replacement in hypokalemic patients is…
20 mEq/hr
The maximum dose for a peripheral line K+ replacement in hypokalemic patients is…
10 mEq/hr
(T/F) For every 10 mEq given to a patient raises their serum K+ levels ~0.1 mEq/L
TRUE
Define hyperkalemia
> 5.0 mEq/L
What are the main causes of hyperkalemia?
- Extracellular shifting
- Increased intake
- Decreased output
In hyperkalemia patients, why does extracellular shifting happen?
Metabolic acidosis
In hyperkalemia patients, why does increased intake happen?
- Exogenous [K+ supplement; salt substitutes (DASH)]
- Endogenous [hemolysis, burns, muscle crush injuries]
In hyperkalemia patients, why does decreased output happen?
- Renal failure (acute or chronic)
- Drugs: TMP/SMX, ACEi/ARBs, NSAIDs, K+ sparring diuretics
(T/F) - Hyperkalemic patients are typically symptomatic
False - typically asymptomatic
What are some symptoms from hyperkalemia?
- Palpitations
- Skipped heart beats
- Weakness
- Bradycardia
Do life-threatening arrhythmias occur in hyperkalemia? If so, at what serum K+ level?
Yes, > 6.0 mEq/L
Before starting pharmacological treatments for hyperkalemic patients, what should be done?
Treat underlying disease
If the patient has mild (5.5 - 6.0 mEq/L) hyperkalemia, what pharmacological treatment can be given?
- Sodium polystyrene sulfonate
- Furosemide IV
(T/F) - Sodium polystyrene can be given to patients who have constipation
FALSE - contraindicated in constipated patients
If the patient has moderate/severe (> 6.0 mEq/L) hyperkalemia who is symptomatic, what pharmacological treatment should be given first?
Patient experiencing severe cardiac arrhythmias - administer calcium gluconate IV
After symptoms have been controlled from moderate/severe hyperkalemia, what other pharmacologic treatment can be given?
- Insulin
- Albuterol
What are the normal serum Mg 2+ levels?
1.5 - 2.2 mEq/L
Define hypomagnesemia
< 1.5 mEq/L
What are the causes of hypomagnesemia?
- Diet
- GI sources
- Renal sources
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Hyperaldosteronism
How does diet affect hypomagnesemia?
Poor nutrition
How does GI sources affect hypomagnesemia?
Vomiting, diarrhea, and malabsorption
How does renal sources affect hypomagnesemia?
Loop diuretics, amphotericin, aminoglycosides, ATN
(T/F) - Hypomagnesemia is typically asymptomatic
TRUE
What are some symptoms from hypomagnesemia?
- Twitching
- Tetany
- Generalized convulsions
- Heart palpitations
What are some signs from hypomagnesemia?
- Tremors
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- EKG changes (widened QRS interval with peaked T waves; PR interval prolonged)
How is mild (1.0 - 1.4 mEq/L), asymptomatic hypomagnesemia treated (give class of drug)?
Oral magnesium supplementation
What is the drug name that is under the class of oral magnesium supplementation?
Magnesium oxide 400 mg PO
(T/F) - Diarrhea is a common adverse effect from magnesium oxide 400 mg
TRUE
On day 1, how is moderate/severe (< 1.0 mEq/L) symptomatic hypomagnesemia treated?
1st: Magnesium sulfate 2 g IV bolus once
2nd: Magnesium sulfate 6 g IV in 24 hrs
On day 2, how is moderate/severe (< 1.0 mEq/L) symptomatic hypomagnesemia treated?
- Magnesium sulfate 4 g IV in 24 hrs
How long can it take for moderate/severe hypomagnesemia to return to normal levels?
3 - 5 days
If a patient has a disorder of K+ and Mg 2+ levels, what would be treated first?
Abnormal magnesium levels
Define hypermagnesemia
> 2.2 mEq/L
What are the causes of hypermagnesemia?
- Excess intake
- Renal sources
- Hypothyroidism
- Lithium
- Addison’s disease
When does hypermagnesemia become symptomatic?
> 4.0 mEq/L
What are the symptoms of hypermagnesemia?
- Cardiac abnormalities (heart block, QRS prolongation, QT prolongation)
- Somnolence
- Coma
- Respiratory depression
- Hyporeflexia
(T/F) - Before treating hypermagnesemia with pharmacological treatment, underlying disease needs to be treated first
TRUE
If hypermagnesemia is moderate/severe, how is it treated? (pharmacological treatment)
1st: Calcium gluconate IV
2nd: Loop diuretics
3rd: Fluids
Would hemodialysis be given to patients who have severe and poor kidney function in patients with hypermagnesemia?
YES
What are the normal serum calcium levels?
8.5 - 10.8 mg/dL
What are the normal serum phosphorus levels?
2.6 - 4.5 mg/dL
Define hypocalcemia
< 8.5 mg/dL
Define hyperphosphatemia
> 4.5 mg/dL
What are some causes in hyperphosphatemia?
- CKD (secondary - hyperparathyroidism)
- Rhabdomyolysis
What are some causes in hypocalcemia?
- CKD (reduced calcium absorption due to decreased active vitamin D production by kidneys)
- Surgically induced hypoparathyroidism
- Malnutrition
What are signs/symptoms of hyperphosphatemia?
- Deposits of calcium-phosphorus crystals in joints, eyes, skin and vasculature
What are signs/symptoms of hypocalcemia?
- Tetany
- Paresthesia
- Confusion
- Hypotension
- Bradycardia
- QT prolongation
- Osteoporosis (long-term)
(T/F) - Calcium is insignificantly protein bound
FALSE - calcium is SIGNIFICANTLY protein bound
(T/F) - Corrected calcium should only be done when patients have hypocalcemia (low in calcium)?
TRUE
Equation of corrected calcium
[(4 - albumin) x 0.8] + Ca2+ serum level
If the patient is asymptomatic, how would hypocalcemia be treated in a patient?
With oral calcium (calcium carbonate)
If the patient has CKD, how would hypocalcemia be treated in a patient?
Ergocalciferol (D2) PO
If the patient is symptomatic, how would hypocalcemia be treated in a patient?
1st: Calcium gluconate IV bolus
2nd: Calcium gluconate IV continuous
(T/F) - For every 1 gram of calcium gluconate, 90 mg of elemental calcium is given
TRUE
If the patient has normal renal function, how would hyperphosphatemia be treated?
- IV fluids
- Furosemide
- promotes excretion of phosphorus*
If the patient has renal failure, how would hyperphosphatemia be treated first?
1st: Restrict on dietary phosphorus
Continuation: If the patient has renal failure and a calcium-phosphorus produce < 55, how would hyperphosphatemia be treated next?
- Calcium salts
- Renagel
- Fosrenol
Continuation: If the patient has renal failure and a calcium-phosphorus product > 55, how would hyperphosphatemia be treated next?
- Sevelamar
- Lanthanum
Continuation: If the patient has renal failure and are undergoing dialysis, what is the best medication to give for hyperphosphatemia?
Velphoro
Define hypercalcemia
> 10.8 mg/dL
Define hypophosphatemia
< 2.6 mg/dL
What are some causes of hypercalcemia?
- Malignancy (lung, bone, breast)
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Excess intake
- Drugs: calcium supplements, lithium, thiazides, tamoxifen
What are some causes of hypophosphatemia?
- Refeeding syndrome
- Phosphate binders
- Alcoholism
What are the symptoms related to malignancy in hypercalcemia?
- N/V
- polyuria
- polydipsia
- Ca2+ > 15 = acute renal failure
- Ventricular arrhythmias
What are the symptoms related to hyperparathyroidism in hypercalcemia?
- Calcification of organs/skin
- Shortening of QT interval
- Chronic renal failure
If the patient has functioning kidneys, what treatment can be given in patients?
- Zoledronic acid (IV 4 mg over 15 mins)
- Normal saline
- Furosemide
- Ibandronate
- Pamidronate
- Prednisone (chronic treatment)
If the patient has non-functioning kidneys, what treatment can be given in patients?
- Hemodialysis (immediately)
- Calcitonin
- Prednisone (chronic treatment)
What are the symptoms related to CNS in hypophosphatemia?
- Weakness
- Tingling
- Confusion
- Numbness
What are chronic symptoms in hypophosphatemia?
- Osteomalacia
- Osteopenia can lead to osteoporosis
If the patient is asymptomatic and phosphate > 1 mg/dL, how would you treat hypophosphatemia?
Neutra-phos 250 mg
If the patient is symptomatic and phosphate < 1 mg/dL, how would you treat hypophosphatemia?
IV phosphate salts
Do you want to correct other electrolyte disorders when a patient has hypophosphatemia?
Yes, to prevent redistribution