MedSurg: Electrolyte Connections: Effects

Question 1

Low Magnesium (Numbers and effects)

Answer 1

Less than 1.3

Hyperexcitability of muscles & nerves

• Heart problems (increased HR, VFIB, PVCs, increased BP)
• CNS problems (confusion, dizziness, seizures)
• muscle problems (cramps, tetany, tremors)

Question 2

High Magnesium (numbers and effects)

Answer 2

Over 2.1

Slowed Na/K pump activity

• heart (decreased rate and bp)
• breathing (decreased rate, difficult to move diaphragm)

Question 3

Hypomagnesemia resembles

Answer 3

HYPOcalcemia

Question 4

Hyperphosphatemia resembles

Answer 4

HYPOcalcemia

Question 5

Low Phosphorus (numbers and effects)

Answer 5

Under 2.4

APs are slowed (O2 not getting to cells)
-weak muscles (weak breathing, weak heart, dysrhythmias)
-CNS depression (coma)
Soft bones (can’t bind with calcium for bone strength)

Question 6

High Phosphorus (numbers and effects)

Answer 6

Over 4.4

Looks like LOW calcium d/t inverse relationship.
-hyperexcitable APs (tetany, cramps, tingling, seizures)
Too much Ca binding: precipitates all over body and under skin

Question 7

Hypocalcemia (numbers and effects)

Answer 7

Less than 8.6 total, less than 4.5 ionized

AP hyperexcitability (too much sodium allowed into cells)

• Parasthesias (tingling around mouth [first] and fingers)
• Heart (Ventricular tachycardia)
• Muscles (tetany/hyperreflexia)
• Brain (anxiety, confusion, hyperventilation)

Question 8

Hypercalcemia (numbers and effects)

Answer 8

Above 10.2

APs harder to attain

• heart (dysrhythmias)
• brain (confusion)
• muscles (lessened reflexes)

Chronic effects:

• kidney stones
• brittle bones

Question 9

Hypokalemia (numbers, effects)

Answer 9

Under 3.5

APs more difficult to repolarize/initiate

• Weaker heart (decreased rate, weaker pulse)
• Muscles weak (softness, paralysis, paralytic ileus + vomiting)
• Decreased breathing (also d/t weak muscles)

Question 10

Hyperkalemia (numbers and effects)

Answer 10

Over 5.0

APs are hyperexcitable. Think about flushing toilet and insufficient refill time.
Heart: (vfib and T-wave peaks, irregular heart rate)
(Can cause cardiac arrest if sudden - trauma/crush injury)
Other muscles (weakness, cramps, diarrhea)

Question 11

Hypovolemic Hypernatremia (numbers, effects)

Answer 11

Over 145

Thirst, dry mouth
Altered LOC
Dry, flushed skin
Increased SG
Increased HR and RR
Decreased BP
Seizures, Coma, Death

Question 12

Hypervolemic Hypernatremia (numbers and effects)

Answer 12

Over 145

Altered LOC, restlessness
Increased BP, HR, RR
JVD, edema, crackles
Weight gain
Decreased urinary output, increased SG
Seizures, coma death

Question 13

Hypovolemic Hyponatremia (numbers, effects)

Answer 13

Under 135

Low BP, OH
Increased HR, thready pulse
Dry mouth
Irritability
Cold, clammy skin
Seizures, coma, death

Question 14

Hypervolemic Hyponatremia

Answer 14

Under 135

High BP
JVD
Weight Gain
Nausea/Vomiting
Confusion
Seizures, coma, death

Question 15

Cool, clammy skin can be a sign of…

Answer 15

Hyponatremia

Sns constricts blood vessels to increase fluid volume

Question 16

Dry, red, flushing skin can be a sign of..

Answer 16

Hypernatremia

Question 17

Intense thirst and agitation can be a sign of

Answer 17

Hypernatremia

Question 18

Vomiting can be a sign of

Answer 18

Hypokalemia

D/t paralytic ileus from decreased AP and muscle activity

Question 19

Circumoral numbness and tingling can be a sign of

Answer 19

Hypocalcemia

Question 20

Tetany

Precipitants under skin

Answer 20

Hyperphosphatemia

Question 21

Muscle  weakness
Poor breathing
Decreased stroke volume
Confusion
Eventually coma

Answer 21

Hypophosphatemia

Question 22

Weakness in every muscle
Decreased heart rate, weak contractility
Low respiratory rate, poor diaphragm strength

Answer 22

Hypermagnesemia

Question 23

Cardiac arrhythmias
Dizziness/confusion
Tetany
Seizures

Answer 23

Hypomagnesemia

Question 24

Ventricular dysrhythmias
Confusion
Lessened reflexes
Risk for kidney stones
Brittle bones

Answer 24

Hypercalcemia

Question 25

Circumoral tingling
Ventricular tachycardia
Tetany/hyperreflexia
Confusion
Anxiety
Hyperventilation

Answer 25

Hypocalcemia

Question 26

V-fib, EKG changes
Irregular HR
Anxious, Irritable
Weak muscles

Answer 26

Hyperkalemia

Question 27

Irregular, low HR
Vomiting
Soft muscles

Answer 27

Hypokalemia

Question 28

Low BP
Weight loss
Restlessness

Answer 28

Hypernatremia with insufficient volume

Question 29

Red, flushing skin
Intense thirst
Increased BP, Increased HR, Increased Resp rate
JVD
Weight gain
Restlessness

Answer 29

Hypernatremia with excess fluid

Question 30

Low BP, OH, dizziness
Increased HR, thready pulse
Confusion
Dry mouth
Irritability
Cold, clammy skin

Answer 30

Hyponatremia with low volume

Question 31

Sodium’s jobs

Answer 31

Regulate water
Acid-base balance
Electrical transmissions

Question 32

Potassium’s jobs

Answer 32

Neuromuscular excitability

Cell growth and rebuilding

Question 33

Calcium’s jobs

Answer 33

Cardiac and skeletal muscle function
Blood clotting
Strengthens bones

Question 34

Phosphorus’s job

Answer 34

Nerve/muscle function
Metabolism
RBC and O2
Strengthens bones with calcium

Question 35

Magnesium’s job

Answer 35

Regulates PTH
Transfers and stores energy
Metabolism of proteins, carbs, lipids