Treatment

Question 1

What treatments can be done for Hyponatremia?

Answer 1

Normal saline
With severe deficit, hypertonic saline solution (if kidneys are healthy)
If too much water is cause, fluids restricted and sodium gradually added

Question 2

What treatments can be done for Hypernatremia?

Answer 2

Low sodium diet
Replace fluids by drinking water
May promote excretion of sodium by administering diuretics

Question 3

What treatments can be done for Hypokalemia?

Answer 3

Oral or IV supplements of potassium chloride
Teach dietary sources
Teach importance of taking supplements
Patients taking diuretics at greater risk for deficit
Monitor telemetry
If taking digitalis, can become dig toxic when potassium level falls

Question 4

What treatment can be done for Hyperkalemia?

Answer 4

Avoid potassium intake
Administer Kayexalate (binds potassium in exchange for sodium)
Administer Loop Diuretics (Lasix/Furosemide)
Push po fluids to increase renal potassium elimination.
MONITOR TELEMETRY
May need temporary hemodialysis to decrease K+ level

Question 5

What treatment can be done for Hypocalcemia?

Answer 5

Observe for deficit post thyroidectomy
Encourage po intake of calcium and vit. D
Monitor respiratory status
Telemetry
Calcium carbonate orally - TUMS
Calcium gluconate IV- if life threatening Hypocalcemia
Cannot give IM-causes precipitation and localized tissue reactions.

Question 6

What treatment can be done for Hypercalcemia?

Answer 6

Treat underlying cause
Promote excretion of calcium thru urine
(diuretics & increased po fluid intake)
PUSH FLUIDS TO DECREASE THE POSSIBILITY OF STONE FORMATION

WEIGHT BEARING EXERCISE ENCOURAGES CALCIUM TO MOVE FROM BLOOD BACK INTO BONES

Question 7

What treatments can be done for Respiratory Acidosis?

Answer 7

Improve ventilation (incentive spirometry)
Bronchodilators, breathing treatments
Elevate head of bed.
Give bicarbonate
Mechanical ventilation

The body will attempt to compensate for respiratory acidosis.
The kidneys will compensate by retaining bicarbonate (HCO3-) which is alkaline.

Question 8

What treatments can be done for Respiratory Alkalosis?

Answer 8

Encourage relaxation
Breathe into paper bag
Treat the cause
Sedation

Question 9

What treatments can be done for Metabolic Acidosis?

Answer 9

IV Sodium Bicarbonate
Mechanical Ventilation
Treat underlying Cause

Question 10

What treatmentscan be done for Metabolic Alkalosis?

Answer 10

Treat underlying cause

Give acidifying solutions