Urea & Electrolyte Balance Flashcards

1
Q

What hormone controls the excretion of water in the body?

A

Arginine vasopressin (ADH)

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2
Q

What happens when there is high osmolality in the body?

A

More ADH is excreted, so water is retained in the body

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3
Q

What happens when there is low osmolality in the body?

A

ADH is turned off

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4
Q

What should normal sodium levels be?

A

135-145mmol/L

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5
Q

What 2 substances regulate the excretion of sodium?

A

Aldosterone from the adrenal glands
Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) from the right atrium of the heart

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6
Q

What can cause hyponatraemia?

A

Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Burns
Inappropriate ADH secretions

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7
Q

What are the symptoms of hyponatraemia?

A

Hypotension
Decreased urine output
Decreased consciousness
High pulse rate

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8
Q

What can cause hypernatraemia?

A

Water depletion
Excess water loss from e.g. diabetes, sweating
Failed ADH
Sodium retention from e.g. saline infusions

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9
Q

What are the symptoms of hypernatraemia?

A

Thirst
Dryness of mouth
Loss of skin turgor

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10
Q

Which specific class of drug is associated with hyponatraemia?

A

SSRIs

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11
Q

The toxicity of which drug is increased during hyponatraemia?

A

Lithium

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12
Q

What should normal potassium levels be?

A

3.5-5mmol/L

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13
Q

Which hormone stimulated the uptake of potassium?

A

Insulin

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14
Q

What can cause hyperkalaemia?

A

Renal failure
Acidosis
Excessive K+ supplements
K+ sparing diuretics

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15
Q

What are the symptoms of hyperkalaemia?

A

Cardiac/skeletal muscle side effects
Tachycardia
Sudden death

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16
Q

How do you manage hyperkalaemia?

A

Calcium gluconate
Insulin + dextrose infusion
Salbutamol
Sodium bicarbonate

17
Q

What can cause hypokalaemia?

A

GI losses - vomiting/diarrhoea
Renal losses
Alkalosis
Drug-induced - steroids/B2 agonists/diuretics/theophylline

18
Q

What are the symptoms of hypokalaemia?

A

Severe muscle weakness
Arrhythmia

19
Q

How is hypokalaemia managed?

A

By giving K+ supplements

20
Q

What should normal calcium levels be?

A

2.2-2.6mmol/L

21
Q

What 2 substances control calcium homeostasis?

A

Vitamin D (cholecalciferol)
Parathyroid hormone

22
Q

What can cause hypocalcameia?

A

Hypoparathyroidism
Vit. D deficiency
Renal disease

23
Q

What are the symptoms of hypocalaemia?

A

Numbness/tingling of fingers
Muscle spasms

24
Q

How is hypocalcaemia managed?

A

Oral calcium supplements
Calcitriol or synthetic vit. D (alfacalcidol)

25
Q

What can cause hypercalcaemia?

A

Hyperparathyroidism
Vit. D overdose
Bone diseases

26
Q

What are the symptoms of hypercalcaemia?

A

Lethargy
Confusion
Muscle weakness
GI side effects
Arrhythmia

27
Q

What is the management for hypercalcaemia?

A

Calcimimetics
Bisphosphonates
Calcitonin