MedSurg: Electrolyte Connections: Effects Flashcards
Low Magnesium (Numbers and effects)
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)
High Magnesium (numbers and effects)
Over 2.1
Slowed Na/K pump activity
- heart (decreased rate and bp)
- breathing (decreased rate, difficult to move diaphragm)
Hypomagnesemia resembles
HYPOcalcemia
Hyperphosphatemia resembles
HYPOcalcemia
Low Phosphorus (numbers and effects)
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)
High Phosphorus (numbers and effects)
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
Hypocalcemia (numbers and effects)
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)
Hypercalcemia (numbers and effects)
Above 10.2
APs harder to attain
- heart (dysrhythmias)
- brain (confusion)
- muscles (lessened reflexes)
Chronic effects:
- kidney stones
- brittle bones
Hypokalemia (numbers, effects)
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)
Hyperkalemia (numbers and effects)
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)
Hypovolemic Hypernatremia (numbers, effects)
Over 145
Thirst, dry mouth Altered LOC Dry, flushed skin Increased SG Increased HR and RR Decreased BP Seizures, Coma, Death
Hypervolemic Hypernatremia (numbers and effects)
Over 145
Altered LOC, restlessness Increased BP, HR, RR JVD, edema, crackles Weight gain Decreased urinary output, increased SG Seizures, coma death
Hypovolemic Hyponatremia (numbers, effects)
Under 135
Low BP, OH Increased HR, thready pulse Dry mouth Irritability Cold, clammy skin Seizures, coma, death
Hypervolemic Hyponatremia
Under 135
High BP JVD Weight Gain Nausea/Vomiting Confusion Seizures, coma, death
Cool, clammy skin can be a sign of…
Hyponatremia
Sns constricts blood vessels to increase fluid volume
Dry, red, flushing skin can be a sign of..
Hypernatremia
Intense thirst and agitation can be a sign of
Hypernatremia
Vomiting can be a sign of
Hypokalemia
D/t paralytic ileus from decreased AP and muscle activity
Circumoral numbness and tingling can be a sign of
Hypocalcemia
Tetany
Precipitants under skin
Hyperphosphatemia
Muscle weakness Poor breathing Decreased stroke volume Confusion Eventually coma
Hypophosphatemia
Weakness in every muscle
Decreased heart rate, weak contractility
Low respiratory rate, poor diaphragm strength
Hypermagnesemia
Cardiac arrhythmias
Dizziness/confusion
Tetany
Seizures
Hypomagnesemia
Ventricular dysrhythmias Confusion Lessened reflexes Risk for kidney stones Brittle bones
Hypercalcemia
