Metabolic

Question 1

complications of electrolyte imbalances

Answer 1

disrupt cellular function by altering the cellular potential and can lead to various complications, some of which can be life-threatening

Question 2

what causes electrolyte imbalances

Answer 2

conditions & medications that intervene with the body’s natural fluid balance

Question 3

presentation of hyponatremia

Answer 3

confusion, headaches, nausea, delirium (confused and disrupted attention, disordered speech, hallucinations)

Question 4

pathophysiology of osmotic demyelination syndrome

Answer 4

When sodium levels in your blood rise quickly, water moves out of nerve cells and they become dehydrated. This dehydration can damage nerve cells and the myelin sheath that surrounds and insulates them, causing myelinolysis & cerebral oedema

Nerve cells in the pons of the
brainstem are especially prone to myelinolysis.

Question 5

what causes osmotic demyelination syndrome

Answer 5

rapid correction of hyponatremia

Question 6

presentation of hypernatremia

Answer 6

agitated, unable to sleep or rest
tachycardia/tachypnoea due to reduction in extracellular fluid

Question 7

presentation of hypokalaemia

Answer 7

muscle weakness & cramping
arrhythmias
constipation

Question 8

presentation of hyperkalemia

Answer 8

muscle weakness & cramping
arrhythmias
abdominal pain & diarrhoea