Lab Values Norm Flashcards
Sodium Na+ (location and range)
Extracellular
135-145
Na+ function
Maintains body fluids
Maintains systemic blood pressure
Promotes transmission of nerve impulses
Promotes muscle contractility
Potassium K+ (location and range)
Intracellular
3.5-5.0
K+ function
Facilitates nerve impulse conduction
Essential for cardiac function
Skeletal and smooth muscle contractions
Chloride Cl- (range and location)
Extracellular anion
95-108
Chloride Cl- function
Maintains balance between intra & extra cellular fluid
Combines with Na+
Combines with H in stomach
Assist w/ nv transmission, ms contraction, and relaxation
Magnesium Mg++ (range and location)
Intracellular cation (2nd most abundant) 1.8-3.0
Mg++ function
Nv conduction and CV fx
Ca++ mediated process
Powers the Na-K pump
Phosphorus P- (location and range)
Primary anion found in ICF
85% bound w/ Ca+ in teeth and bones
Inverse relationship with Ca+
2.5-4.5
Phosphorus P- function
Regulates ca+ levels
Nv conduction and nm Fx
Cell membrane integrity
Metabolism of CHO, fat, and protein
Hyponatremia
(<135 mEq/L)
Causes
Symptoms
Causes:
Hypervolemia
Loss of Na+ and H2O (see PPT for details)
Symptoms: EARLY- Headache, N/V Anorexia (loss of appetite) Abdominal cramping
LATER- Confusion, lethargy Muscle twitching Seizures Possibly coma
hyponatremia
Nursing implications:
Analgesics or anti-emetics Neuro assess Fall and seizure precautions BP and HR I and O
Hypernatremia
(>145 mEq/L)
Causes
Symptoms
Excess sodium intake
Fluid volume deficit (dehydration)
Symptoms: Muscle twitching Restlessness, lethargy, dec LOC, dec CO Hypovalemic symptoms Oliguria (decreased urine)
Hypernatremia
Nursing implications:
Neruo Assess
Assess perfusion
Monitor I&O
Assess mucus membranes and VS
Hypokalemia (<3.5 mEq/L)
Causes
Symptoms
Causes: Gastric losses Inadequate dietary intake Diaphoresis Diuretics (lasix)
Symptoms:
Alteration in CV and NM Fx
Impaired glucose tolerance
Hypokalemia
Nursing implications:
Cardiac rhythm Skeletal (leg cramps) Respiratory GI (hypoactive? Absent?) Glucose level Inc K+ level
Hyperkalemia (>5.0 mEq/L)
Causes
Symptoms
Causes:
Excessive K+ intake
K+ sparing drugs
Overuse of salt sub
Symptoms:
Cardiac fx disturbances
Skeletal fx changes
GI (diarrhea, overactive bowel sounds)
Hyperkalemia
Nursing implications:
Cardiac rhythm CMS checks Safety measures(weakness) Character of stools Medications (diuretic) Avoid salt sub
Hypochloremia (<95 mEq/L)
Causes
Symptoms
Causes:
GI losses (removes HCl from stomach)
Excessive sweating
Medications (antacids diuretics)
Symptoms: Na+, K+ levels may be dec Hypotension Disorientation and confusion Muscle cramping, twitching
Hypochloremia
Nursing implications:
VS, neuro, CMS
Weakness (falls)
Monitor na+ and K+ levels
Hypomagnesemia (<1.8 mg/dl)
Causes
Symptoms
Causes: Chronic alcoholism (most common) Inadequate intake GI losses Medications
Symptoms:
Cardiac dysrhythmias, inc BP and HR
Confusion and insomnia
Hypokalemia s/sx (d/t Na- K pump r’ship)
Hypomagnesemia
Nursing implications:
VS and Heart rhythm
Neurological & CMS
Implement fall precautions
Assess K+ and ca+ levels
Hyperchloremia (>108 mEq/L)
Causes
Symptoms
Causes:
Dec excretion or retention by kidneys
Hypernatremia (readily combines w/ Na+)
Symptoms:
Hypotension & tachycardia
Restlessness, lathargy, headache, confusion
Inc Na+ and K+ levels
Hyperchloremia
Nursing implications
Monitor Na+, and K+ labs
Neuro and CMS
VS
Hypermagnesesia (>3.0)
Causes
Symptoms
Causes:
Renal dysfunction
Ingestion of Mg+ containing medications
Symptoms:
Initial- N/V, lethargy
Later- dec BP and HR
Cardiac dysrythmias
Dec NM fx
Hypermagnesemia
Nursing implications:
Anti-emetics Assess VS, heart rhythm Kidney Fx NM fx Implement fall precautions
Hypophosphatemia (<2.5 mg/dl)
Causes
Symptoms
Causes: inadquete intake or malabsorption issues vitamin D deficiency alcoholism and withdrawal hyperparathyroidism (over secretion of PTH) excessive use of antacids
Symptoms: Dysrhythmias ms weakness CNS depression, confusion Osteomalacia Respiratory weakness
