NUR300 Fluid & Electrolytes

Question 1

Hypernatremia

Answer 1

Irritability, thirst, fever, dry and flushed skin, dry tongue and mucous membranes, muscle twitching

Causes: increased water loss, increased ingestion of sodium

Treatment: based on cause

Question 2

Hypokalemia

Answer 2

Cardiac arrhythmias, weakness and fatigue, decreased muscle tone, paresthesias

Causes: diuretics, G.I. losses, extreme sweating

Treatment: potassium replacement

Question 3

Hyperkalemia

Answer 3

Cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, anxiety, muscle weakness

Causes: renal failure, diabetic ketoacidosis

Treatment: kayexelate

Question 4

Hypocalcemia

Answer 4

Numbness and tingling in fingers and toes, muscle twitching, seizures, laryngeal spasm

Causes: vitamin D deficiency, pancreatitis

Treatment: calcium supplementation

Question 5

Hypercalcemia

Answer 5

Lethargy, muscle weakness, kidney stones, decreased memory

Causes: hyperparathyroidism, large doses of vitamin D

Treatment: identify underlying cause

Question 6

Hypomagnesemia

Answer 6

Increased reflexes, muscle tremors, tachyarrhythmias, confusion

Causes: malnutrition and alcoholism, diarrhea, NG suction

Treatment: magnesium administration

Question 7

Hypermagnesemia

Answer 7

Hypotension, Flushing and skin warm, decreased respirations

Causes: renal failure

Treatment: symptomatic

Question 8

Hypovolemia

Answer 8

Water and electrolytes lost

Low blood pressure, tachycardia

Question 9

Hypervolemia

Answer 9

Water and sodium are retained

Question 10

Over hydration

Answer 10

More water is gained then electrolytes

Question 11

Hyponatremia

Answer 11

Tachycardia, hypertension, muscle cramps and weakness, lethargy, headache

Causes: G.I. losses, diuretics, excessive water intake, burns, kidney disease

Tx: based on cause