Lab values

Question 1

potassium

Answer 1

3.5 to 5mEq

Question 2

what causes hyperkalemia

Answer 2

1. Metabolic acidosis
2. Dehydration
3. Excess K intake
4. Renal failure
5. Tissue damage (burns, K+ goes out o the cell

Question 3

How to treat hyperkalemia

Answer 3

*Insulin- Moves K+ into the cell
*D50- Prevents hypoglycemia caused by the infusion of Insulin
*IV Calcium Gluconate also given at the same time to counteract cardiac
effects of potassium
*Sodium Bicarbonate-
treats the acidosis caused when K+ moves into the cell and pushes hydrogen ions into the serum

Question 4

Function/facts about potassium

Answer 4

*Most abundant
INTRA cellular cation and is essential for transmission of electrical impulses in cardiac and skeletal muscle
*Helps maintain acid- base balance and has inverse relationship to metabolic pH…decrease in pH of 0.1 (acidosis) increases K+ by 0.6 mEq/L
*80-90% K+ filtered through the kidney

Question 5

What causes hypokalemia

Answer 5

*Inadequate intake of K+
*ETOH abuse
*CHF/HTN
*GI Loss-V&D
*Renal Loss
*Diuretics-Loop: Furosemide
(Lasix)
Bumetadine (Bumex)

Question 6

How to treat hypokalemia

Answer 6

*Oral or Parenteral
Potassium
*Diet high in potassium
*Balanced electrolyte solutions
*Pedialyte
*Sports drinks

Question 7

What can reduce urinary output

Answer 7

• dehydration
• hemorrhage
• renal failure

Question 8

creatinine

Answer 8

Normal: 0.5-1.2 mg/dl

Question 9

What causes an increase in creatinine

Answer 9

Increased in: CHF Dehydration
Acute & chronic renal failure
Shock

Question 10

What causes a decrease in creatine

Answer 10

Decreased in:
Decreased skeletal muscle
Inadequate protein intake

Question 11

Heparin, clotting time

Answer 11

46 to 70 secs for blood to clot

Question 12

antidote

Answer 12

protamine

Question 13

Lab to check if heparin is working

Answer 13

PTT (partial Thromboplastin Time)

Question 14

Lovenox lab check

Answer 14

monitor platelet count