Main Functions Flashcards
Fluid balance + neuromuscular activity
Sodium
Depolarization + acid/base balance
Potassium
Electrophysiology of heart and smooth muscles + membrane stability
Calcium
Cell membrane structure + ATP formation
Phosphate
Acid/base balance + oxygen delivery to tissues
Phosphate
Na/k transport + neuromuscular activity
Magnesium
Protein/DNA synthesis + ATP production
Magnesium
Maintenance of serum osmolality/water balance + acid/base balance
Chloride
Regulated by kidneys, influenced by adrenal glands, ADH and atrial natriuretic peptide
Sodium
Moved out of cell to ECF by Na/K pump
Sodium
headache, confusion, muscle weakness, cramps
Hyponatremia (water excess, water moves into ICF, cells swell + burst)
Confusion, irritable, restless, twitching, confusion, thirst, fever
Hypernatremia (water deficit, water moves out of ICF, cells shrivel and collapse)
Increase water loss (hypertonic solution at slow rate)
Hyponatremia
Slowly replace water loss, limit sodium intake, treat cause and restore fluid balance
Hypernatremia
Diffuses out of cell and is actively pumped back into cell
Potassium
Excretes renally: kidneys can’t retain is magnesium levels are low
Potassium
Influenced by acid/base balance - moves in and out of cell in relation to hydrogen and bicarbonate
Potassium
ECG changes (flat/flipped T, ST depression), muscle weakness, fatigue, metabolic alkalosis
Hypokalemia
ECG changes (peaked T, wide QRS, ST depression), muscle weakness
Hyperkalemia
Replace, resolve contributing acid/base imbalances, consider meds contributing to loss
Hypokalemia
Resolve contributing acid/base imbalance, consider meds contributing to retention, promote removal through diuretics, glucose/insulin
Hyperkalemia
Dietary influence, mobilized by PTH and decreases renal excretion, calcitonin increases renal excretion, is opposite to phosphate, ionized form is better status of metabolism (levels fall during alkalosis and rise during acidosis)
Calcium
Increased cell membrane excitability, CNS changes (anxiety, confusion, irritable), neuromuscular changes (tingling, twitching, cramps), CVS changes (decreased contractility
Hypocalcemia
Decreased cell membrane excitability, CNS changes (fatigue, confusion, depression, coma), neuromuscular changes (muscle weakness, decreased tone), ECG changes
Hypercalcemia
Correct albumin levels, correct acid-base imbalances, replace losses and increase intake
Hypocalcemia
Correct phosphate levels, ensure adequate volume, correct acid-base imbalances, remove excess
Hypercalcemia
Absorbed in GI, competes with calcium for absorption, excreted by kidneys, influenced by acid/base balance (moves into cell in alkalosis), follows glucose into cell
Phosphate
Signs related to loss of ATP (energy) - weakness, irritability, confusions, poor contractility. Left shift of oxyhemoglobin curve and decreased oxygen transport to tissues
Hypophosphatemia
Same signs as hypocalcemia (increased membrane excitability, CNS changes, tingling, twitching, cramps muscle changes)
Hyperphosphatemia
Replace losses and increase intake
Hypophosphatemia
Optimize calcium levels, limit intake, decrease GI absorption, enhance renal absorption by fluid admin
Hyperphosphatemia
Dietary intake, competes with calcium for GI absorption, excreted in feces and kidneys, other intracellular lytes (calcium and potassium) are affected by this level
Magnesium
Decreased levels liberate potassium to ECF which increases excretion of potassium and low serum levels
Magnesium
Neuromuscular changes (overstimulation - hyperreflexia, weakness, cramps, twitching), dysrhythmias; resp muscle paralysis, laryngeal strider
Hypomagnesemia
Depressed neuromuscular activity, weakness, flaccid paralysis
Hypermagnesemia
Increase intake/replace losses
Hypomagnesemia
Minimize intake, ensure adequate volume, remove with diuretics or dialysis
Hypermagnesemia