MedSurg: Electrolyte Connections: Treatments

Question 1

What is calcium gluconate used for?

Answer 1

Decreases cardiac membrane excitability
-hyperkalemia

Increases calcium in body

• hypocalcemia
• hyperphosphatemia

Antagonist of magnesium
-hypermagnesemia

Question 2

How does IV insulin affect potassium levels? When would you use it?

Answer 2

IV insulin promotes the moving of K+ into the cells.

Treatment for Hyperkalemia

Question 3

How much potassium can you safely administer? What should you check and when?

Answer 3

IV on a pump, only.
10 mEq/hour.

Check EKG after 60 mEq has been administered.

Question 4

What is kayexalate for?

Answer 4

Binds to potassium and pulls it out of body.

Treatment for hyperkalemia

Question 5

What electrolyte imbalance might you treat with dialysis?

Answer 5

Hyperkalemia

Question 6

What foods are high in phosphorus?

Answer 6

Dairy, eggs, nuts, whole grains

Question 7

What causes precipitants to settle around the body?

Answer 7

Hyperphosphatemia

Excess phosphorus binds with calcium and leaves deposits. Can lead to organ failure. Skin breakage.

Question 8

What could a doctor do to treat hypermagnesemia?

Answer 8

Increase IV fluids to flush it out
Administer loop diuretics

Administer calcium gluconate

Question 9

What could a dr do to treat hypercalcemia?

Answer 9

Lots of fluids: 3-4L/day
Loop diuretics

Encourage weight-bearing exercise

Question 10

What could a dr do to treat hypocalcemia?

Answer 10

If mild, give tums or dairy foods

If severe, give IV calcium gluconate

Question 11

How can you replace potassium in diet?

Answer 11

Bananas, Avocados, oranges

Question 12

How will a dr treat hypovolemic Hypernatremia?

Answer 12

Hydrate: Isotonic or Hypotonic
(5% dextrose in water, 1/2 NS)

Goal of hypotonic solution would be to dilute the sodium concentration while increasing volume.

Question 13

What do you want to be careful of when giving hypotonic fluids

Answer 13

Monitor for signs of pulmonary and cerebral edema. Cells can swell. Start low and go slow.

Question 14

When would a dr want to give a hypertonic solution?

Answer 14

When there’s increased ICP or when Hyponatremia is very severe - exhibits neuro symptoms (128ish). Must start very low and go very carefully.

Question 15

What does aldosterone do?

Answer 15

Encourages the intake of sodium (and water) and the excretion of potassium.

Question 16

What type of fluids will be given to someone with a fluid volume deficit?

Answer 16

Normal saline to rapidly replace volume (Loris’ preference)

Lactated Ringer’s to give balanced rehydration with electrolytes.

Blood transfusion for blood loss.

Question 17

How can you treat edema due to decreased venous function in legs?

Answer 17

Compression stockings, ROM exercises, ambulation.

Question 18

What is the tonicity of D5W?

Answer 18

Starts out isotonic, but becomes hypotonic when used. Use limited volumes because of edema.

Question 19

What does Lactated Ringer’s contain?

Answer 19

Sodium
Potassium
Chloride
Calcium
Lactate

Question 20

What is normal saline for?

Answer 20

Adds volume without shifting electrolytes