Fluids & Electrolytes Flashcards
CO2 level (bicarb)
23 - 29 mmol/L
Specific gravity level
1.005 - 1.030
- Less than 1.005 = dilute urine, hypervolemia
- Greater than 1.030 = concentrated urine, hypovolemia
Creatinine level
0.6 - 1.2 mg/dL
BUN level
6 - 20 mg/dL
Glucose level
70 - 110 mg/dL
Platelet level
150,000 - 450,000 /uL
Hemoglobin level
M: 13.5 - 17.5 g/dL
F: 12 - 16 g/dL
WBC level
4500 - 10,500 / uL
Hyperkalemia medical management
- Dietary modifications
- IV dextrose and insulin administration (glucose shift which K follows)
- Loop diuretics
- Kay-exalate (promote GI excretion of K)
- Severe: calcium to reverse arrythmias, not lower K
Hyperkalemia clinical manifestations
- *Palpitations
- *EKG changes
- Paresthesias
- Generalized fatigue
- Muscle cramps
- Weakness
- Serious complications: cardiac arrest
Hyperkalemia causes
- Acute or chronic renal failure (bc major excretor of K)
- Excessive intake of foods high in potassium: banana, potato, leafy greans
- Medications: potass-sparing diuretics, NSAIDs, potass supplements, beta blockers, digitalis
- Shift of intracellular potass to extracellular space: crush injuries, metabolic acidosis
Hypokalemia medical management
- Potass supplement (oral preferred)
- Cardiac monitoring
- Intravenous access
*Monitor digoxin levels and administer potass slowly d/t arrhythmias + irritation
Hypokalemia clinical manifestations
- Weakness and lethargy (d/t Na/K pumps & AP)
- N/V
- Constipation
- Abd cramping
- *ST depress on EKG
- Severe complication: cardiac or resp arrest
Hypokalemia causes
- Losses in GI Tract (vomit, diarrhea, gastric suction, excessive laxative)
- Medications: loop diuretics, thiazide diuretics, aminoglycosides (antibiotic type), steroids, albuterol
- Lack of potassium rich foods
Potass levels
3.5 - 5.0 mEq/L
Chloride levels
97 - 107 mEq/L
Hypernatremia medical management
- Limit sodium intake
- Replace water deficits w hypotonic fluids (anything less than 0.9% normal saline: D5W, 0.45%…)
Hypernatremia clinical manifestations
- Nonspecific neurological symptoms: agitation, restlessness, neuromuscular irritability
- Severe: hallucinations, delusions, disorientation, coma
- Thirst
- Signs of dehydration: dry mouth, poor skin turgor, low BP, rapid HR, dark yellow urine
Hypernatremia causes
- Reduced water intake
- Diabetes insipidus
- Hyperglycemia
- Hypercalcemia
- Hyperkalemia
- Age
Normal saline
0.9% sodium
Hyponatremia medical management
- Sodium replacement (oral, enteral, parenteral)
- Fluid restriction 1500-2300
- Parenteral replacement w isotonic IV fluids: 0.9% normal saline
- Diuretics
- Setting of neurological involvement: hypertonic IV fluids (3-5% saline solutions)
Hyponatremia clinical manifestations
- *Neurological
- Cerebral edema
- Lethargy/weakness
- Headache
- Confusion
- Muscle cramps and altered gait
- N/V
- Serious complications: seizures, coma, death
Hyponatremia causes
- Heart failure
- Meds (diuretics)
- Vomit/diarrhea
- Hyperglycemia w glucosuria
- Perspiration
Sodium levels
135 - 145 mEq/L