Fluids & Electrolytes Flashcards
Processes calcium is involved in:
- ) Bone formation
- ) Blood coagulation
- ) Contraction of cardiac and skeletal muscle
- ) Maintenance of muscle tone
- ) Conduction of nerve impulses
- ) Synthesis and regulation of endocrine and exocrine glands
Normal calcium ranges:
8.6 to 10 mg/dL
Processes magnesium is involved in:
- ) Needed for use of ATP as a source of energy
- ) Needed for the action of numerous enzyme systems:
- Carbohydrate metabolism
- Protein synthesis
- Nucleic acid synthesis
- Contraction of muscular tissue - ) Regulates nerve activity
- ) Regulates the clotting mechanism
Normal magnesium ranges:
1.6 to 2.6 mg/dL
Processes potassium is involved in:
- ) Nerve conduction
- ) Muscle function
- ) Acid-base balance
- ) Osmotic pressure
- ) Controls rate and force of contraction of the heart (along with calcium and magnesium)
Normal potassium ranges:
3.5 to 5.1 mEq/L
Processes phosphorous is involved in:
- ) Generation of bony tissue
- ) Metabolism of glucose and lipids
- ) Maintenance of acid-base balance
- Binds with H+ - ) Storage and transfer of energy from one body site to another
Normal phosphorous ranges:
2.7 to 4.5 mg/dL
Processes sodium is involved in:
- ) Regulates osmolality
- ) Fluid balance
- ) Promotes transmission of nerve impulses to muscles and tissues
- ) Helps maintain acid-base balance
Normal sodium ranges:
135 to 145 mEq/L
Causes of Hypernatremia:
- ) Dehydration (e.g. low fluid intake, increased metabolic rate, fever, hyperventilation, infection, excessive diaphoresis, watery diarrhea, diabetes insipidus [DI])
- ) Excessive sodium intake
- ) Decreased sodium output (e.g. Corticosteroids, Cushing’s Syndrome, Renal failure, Hyperaldosteronism)
S&S of Hypernatremia:
- ) Irritability, Restlessness, Confusion, Seizures, Lethargy, Coma
- ) Thirst, Dry mucous membranes
- ) Decreased urinary output
- ) Flushed skin
- ) Orthostatic hypotension (from fluid loss)
- ) Fever
- ) Pulmonary edema (if hypervolemia present)
- ) Muscle changes: (Early = Muscle twitches, irregular muscle contractions; Late = Skeletal muscle weakness, depressed/absent deep tendon reflexes)
- ) Possible edema (if hypervolemia present)
- ) Increased urinary specific gravity
- ) Increased BP
Interventions for Hypernatremia:
- ) Monitor cardiovascular, respiratory, neruomuscular, cerebral, renal, and integumentary status
- ) Monitory I&O
- ) Daily Weight (gain of 2 or more lbs in 4 days must be reported)
- ) Assess for edema
- ) Monitor for seizure risk
- ) Administer IV infusion (sodium-free isotonic fluids, e.g. D5W, followed by 0.45% NS) (if cause is fluid loss)
- ) Administer diuretics that promote sodium loss (if cause is inadequate renal excretion of sodium)
- ) Restrict sodium and fluid intake
Causes of Hyponatremia:
- ) Increased sodium excretion (excessive diaphoresis, diuretics, vomiting, diarrhea, wound drainage [especially GI], renal disease, decreased secretion of aldosterone)
- ) Inadequate sodium intake (NPO, Low-salt diet)
- ) Dilution of serum sodium (Excessive ingestion of hypotonic fluids or irrigation with hypotonic fluids, renal failure, freshwater drowning, SIADH, hyperglycemia, CHF)
S&S of Hyponatremia:
From Sodium loss:
- ) Irritability, apprehension, confusion
- ) Postural hypotension and tachycardia
- ) Decreased CVP and decreased jugular vein filling
- ) Weight loss and dry mucous membranes
- ) Tremors, seizures, and coma
- ) Cerebral edema (if <125 mEq/L)
From Fluid gain:
- ) Headache, apathy and confusion
- ) Weight gain, increased BP, elevated CVP
* 3.) Hallmark signs: Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, and weakness - ) Increased urinary output
- ) Cerebral edema
Interventions for Hyponatremia:
- ) Closely monitor neurologic signs during sodium replacement
- ) Daily weights
- ) Monitor I&O (loss or gain of 4.4 lb is equal to 2 L of fluid)
- ) Check urine color, consistency, and amount
- ) Monitor vital signs
- ) Assess for intravascular overload during infusion of sodium solutions (tachypnea, tachycardia, and SOB)
Causes of Hyperkalemia:
- ) Excessive potassium intake (overingestion of K+ containing foods/medications, rapid infusion of potassium-containing IV solutions).
- ) Decreased potassium excretion (K+ sparing diuretics, renal failure, adrenal insufficiency [Addison’s disease])
- ) Movement of potassium from ICF to ECF (tissue damage, acidosis, hyperuricemia, hypercatabolism)
S&S of Hyperkalemia:
- ) Muscle cramps/Weakness in lower extremities
- ) Diarrhea and hyperactive bowel sounds
- ) Numbness and tingling in the extremities
- ) Lethargy and fatigue
- ) Bradycardia
- ) Hypotension
- ) Cardiac dysrhythmias (ectopic beats)
- ) ECG changes
- Tall, peaked T waves and flat or absent P waves
- Shortened QT intervals
- ST segment depression, prolonged PR interval, widened QRS complex ( >8 mEq/L)
Interventions for Hyperkalemia:
- ) Monitor cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular, renal, and gastrointestinal status (*Place on cardiac monitor)
- ) Discontinue IV potassium and hold oral potassium supplements
- ) Initiate potassium-restricted diet
- ) Prepare to administer K+ excreting diuretics if renal function is not impaired
- ) If renal function IS impaired, administer Kayexalate (a cation exchange resin that promotes gastrointestinal Na+ absorption and K+ excretion).
- ) Dialysis (if K+ level critically high)
- ) IV administration of hypertonic glucose with regular insulin to move excess K+ into the cells.
- ) Monitor renal function
- ) Teach pt to avoid foods high in potassium
- ) Teach pt to avoid use of salt substitutes or other K+ containing substances.
Causes of Hypokalemia:
- ) Total K+ loss (Excessive use of medications such as diuretics or corticosteroids, increased secretion of aldosterone [such as in Cushing’s syndrome], vomiting, diarrhea, wound drainage [particularly GI], prolonged NG suction, excessive diaphoresis, renal disease impairing reabsorption of K+)
- ) Inadequate K+ intake
- ) Movement of K+ from ECF to ICF (alkalosis, hyperinsulinism)
- ) Dilution of serum K+ (water intoxication, IV therapy with K+ -poor solutions).
S&S of Hypokalemia:
- ) Fatigue and weakness (early sign)
- ) Leg cramps (early sign)
- ) Weak, irregular pulse
- ) Hyperglycemia cause by the impaired release of insulin
- ) Decreased GI motility - Nausea, vomiting, and paralytic ileus
- ) Bradycardia
- ) ECG changes
- Flattened T wave, eventual prominent U wave
- ST segment depression, slightly peaked P wave
- Frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)
- Inability to concentrate urine and diuresis
Interventions for Hypokalemia:
- ) Monitor cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular, GI, and renal status (*Place on cardiac monitor)
- ) Monitor electrolyte values
- ) Administer K+ supplements orally, IV
- ) Oral potassium supplements (should not be taken on empty stomach)
- ) IV administered K+
- ) If taking a K+ -losing diuretic, it may be d/c (may be replaced with a K+ -sparing diuretic)
- ) Instruct about foods high in K+ content.
What is the recommended amount of Potassium to infuse through IV?
Recommended: A dilution of no more than 1 mEq/10 mL of solution
- After adding K+ to the IV solution, rotate and invert the bag to distribute the K+.
- The MAX recommended infusion rate is 5 to 10 mEq/hr, NEVER to exceed 20 mEq/hr
- Potassium can cause irritation or phlebitis to blood vessels. Therefore, frequently check the site. Stop the infusion immediately if this occurs.
- Monitor renal function before administering K+.
Causes of Hypocalcemia:
- ) Inhibition of calcium absorption from the GI tract (inadequate oral intake of calcium, lactose intolerance, malabsorption syndromes [celiac sprue, Crohn’s disease], inadequate intake of vitamin D, End-stage renal disease)
- ) Increase calcium excretion (renal failure [polyuric phase], diarrhea, steatorrhea, wound drainage [especially GI]
- ) Conditions that decrease the ionized fraction of calcium (hyperproteinemia, alkalosis, medications such as calcium chelators or binders, acute pancreatitis, hyperphosphatemia, immobility, removal or destruction of the parathyroid glands)