Fluid and Electrolytes Flashcards

1
Q

Dehydration

A

Loss of water alone with increased serum sodium levels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Hypovolemia

A

Fluid volume deficit related to active fluid volume loss

Characterized by change in mental state, decreased BP, decreased turgor, decreased urine output, dry skin, elevated hematocrit, etc.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Normal BUN

A

8-23 mg/dL

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Normal Creatinine

A

0.7-1.6 mg/dL

Elevated levels indicate diminished kidney function

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Hypokalemia

A

Decreased potassium

GI losses and renal losses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Hyperkalemia

A

Increased potassium

Adrenal insufficiency

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Hyponatremia

A

Decreased sodium

Increased thirst and ADH release

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Hypernatremia

A

Increased sodium

Increased insensible losses and diabetes insipidus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Elevated Hematocrit

A

Indicates decreased plasma volume

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Normal Urine Specific Gravity

A

1.010-1.025

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Solutions for Fluid Volume Deficit

A

IV isotonic electrolyte solutions (Lactated Ringer’s 0.9% NaCl when BP is low, 0.45% NaCl when BP is normal)

Rate of fluid administration depends on severity of initial fluid loss and hemodynamic abilities of the patient

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Assessment of Fluid Status

A

Intake and output, vital signs, central venous pressure, level of consciousness, breath sounds, skin color

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Fluid Challenge for those with Decreased Urine Output

A

Caused by pre-renal azotemia or acute tubular necrosis

Give 100-200 mL of normal saline over 15 minutes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Glomerular Filtration Rate

A

Nephrons filter blood at a rate of 125 mL per minute

Leads to 1-2 L of urine per day

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Simple and Accurate Method of Determining Water Balance

A

WEIGH THE PATIENT

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Intake and Output

A

Record in milliliters

Daily should be around 2500 mL

Intake includes IV fluids, tube feedings, anything that goes into the body for any reason

Minimum Output should be 30 mL/hour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Hypervolemia

A

Increased isotonic fluid retention

Caused by simple fluid overload (too much sodium and water), diminished function of homeostatic regulation of fluid (heart failure, renal failure, cirrhosis)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Diagnostic Test Results of Hypervolemia

A

BUN: decreased due to dilution caused by plasma

Hematocrit: decreased due to dilution caused by plasma

Chest X-Ray: pulmonary vascular congestion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Assessment Findings of Hypervolemia

A

Crackles in the lungs, edema, distended neck veins, elevated central venous pressure, shortness of breath, elevated blood pressure, bounding pulses, increased respiratory rate, increased urine output

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Treatment of Hypervolemia

A

Diuretics, fluid restriction, sodium restriction, dialysis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Parenteral Nutrition Support

A

Needed when patient is unable to eat or has a non-functioning GI tract

22
Q

TPN

A

Total Parenteral Nutrition

Hypertonic, given in large central vein

23
Q

PPN

A

Peripheral Parenteral Nutrition

Not as concentrated, can be given peripherally, contains some glucose, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes

24
Q

Nursing Interventions for Parenteral Nutrition

A

Verify solution ordered

Monitor infusion rate

Maintain the patency of the IV catheter

Monitor site every 1 to 2 hours

During parenteral therapy, the patient’s I&O should be recorded

25
Q

Complications of Parenteral Nutrition

A

Infiltration, phlebitis, thrombosis, circulatory overload

26
Q

Hypotonic Parenteral Fluids

A

Osmolarity lower than 290

Use 0.45% normal saline

27
Q

Isotonic Parenteral Fluids

A

Osmolarity between 240-349

0.9% normal saline

28
Q

Hypertonic Parenteral Fluids

A

Osmolarity greater than 290

3% NaCl

29
Q

Sodium

A

Normal level: 135-145 mEq/L

Most abundant electrolyte in the body

Functions include regulating water balance, increasing cell membrane permeability, stimulates conduction of nerve impulses, and controls the contractility of muscles

30
Q

Hyponatremia

A

Sodium level less than 135 mEq/L

Likely to have problems with potassium

Body compensates by decreasing excretion

Headache, irritability, muscle weakness, twitching, tremors, fatigue, apathy, orthostatic hypotension, nausea, vomiting, confusion

Treatment is 3% NaCl if severe, 0.9% normal saline if not

31
Q

Hypernatremia

A

Sodium level greater than 145 mEq/L

Body compensates by conserving water through renal reabsorption

Fluid shifts from the cells into the interstitial spaces, resulting in cellular dehydration

Dry mucous membranes, decreased urine output, restlessness, agitation, flushed skin, THIRST

32
Q

Potassium

A

Normal Level: 3.5-5 mEq/L

Excreted through kidneys, feces, and perspiration

Regulates neuromuscular excitability, important for muscular contraction, works with metabolism of glycogen and protein, plays a role in acid-base metabolism

33
Q

Hypokalemia

A

Potassium less than 3.5 mEq/L

Caused by renal excretion, excessive GI losses, diuretics

Weakness, leg cramps, EKG changes, paresthesia, lethargy, confusion, orthostatic hypotension

Give potassium (NEVER PUSH)

34
Q

Hyperkalemia

A

Potassium greater than 5 mEq/L

Caused by renal disease, severe tissue damage, excessive increase in foods high in potassium

Irritability, EKG changes (peaked T wave), nausea, vomiting, irregular pulse, can cause cardiac arrest

Chase it out of the body with K-Exolate enemas

35
Q

Chloride

A

Normal level is 96-105 mEq/L

36
Q

Hypochloremia

A

Occurs when sodium is lost

Caused by vomiting or prolonged nasogastric or fistula drainage

37
Q

Hyperchloremia

A

Rarely occurs but may be seen when bicarbonate levels fall

38
Q

Calcium

A

Normal level is 4.5-5.8 mEq/L

Vitamin D, calcitonin, and parathyroid hormone are necessary for absorption and utilization of calcium

39
Q

Hypocalcemia

A

Level below 4.5 mEq/L

Caused by infusion of excess amounts of citrated blood

Also caused by diarrhea, inadequate dietary intake, issues with parathyroid, pancreatic diseases, small bowel diseases

Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes, tetany, anxiety, confusion

40
Q

Hypercalcemia

A

Level exceeds 5.8 mEq/L

Caused by calcium stores in the bones entering the circulation (as a result of immobilization) which leads to renal calculi or osteoporosis

Behavior changes, nausea, vomiting, confusion, decreased deep tendon reflexes, bone pain, decreased muscle tone

41
Q

Phosphorus

A

Normal level is 4 mEq/L

Phosphorus and calcium have an inverse relationship

42
Q

Hypophosphatemia

A

Caused by dietary insufficiency, impaired kidney function, or maldistribution of phosphate

Muscle weakness is possible

43
Q

Hyperphosphatemia

A

Caused by renal insufficiency or increased phosphate or vitamin D

Tetany, numbness and tingling around the mouth, muscle spasms

44
Q

Magnesium

A

Normal level is 1.5-2.4 mEq/L

Found in small amounts in the blood, bone, muscle, and soft tissue

Excreted by the kidneys

45
Q

Hypomagnesemia

A

Level below 1.5 mEq/L

Parallels decreased potassium

Caused by chronic alcoholism, malnutrition

Increased neuromuscular excitability, anorexia, mental status changes, agitation, depression, confusion

46
Q

Hypermagnesemia

A

Level exceeds 2.5 mEq/L

Rare with normal kidney function

Caused by impaired renal function, excess magnesium administration

Restriction of nerve and muscle activity

47
Q

Bicarbonate

A

Normal level is 22-24 mEq/L

Regulates the acid-base balance

Regulated by the kidneys

48
Q

PaCO2

A

Normal level is 35-45

49
Q

Respiratory Acidosis

A

Caused by any condition that impairs normal ventilation

PCO2 level increases and pH falls

Shallow respirations lead to retained CO2

Treatment is to turn cough and deep breathe, pursed lip breathing, improve the ventilation

50
Q

Respiratory Alkalosis

A

Caused by hyperventilation and blowing off too much CO2

Treatment is to slow down the breathing, sedation

51
Q

Metabolic Acidosis

A

Caused by diabetic ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis related to code situation

Lungs try to compensate by hyperventilation (Kussmaul’s Respirations)

Treatment is sodium bicarbonate

52
Q

Metabolic Alkalosis

A

Acid is lost or bicarbonate level is increased

Most common cause is excessive vomiting

Also caused by too many antacids

Treatment is aimed at correcting the cause