Week 2 Electrolytes Flashcards
Major body fluid compartments.
Intracellular fluid (ICF) within cells; extracellular fluid (ECF) outside cells, including interstitial fluid and plasma.
Water and electrolyte regulation processes.
Involves osmosis, diffusion, active transport, and hormones like aldosterone and ADH.
Water excess and deficit disorders.
Excess from fluid intake, renal failure, or hormonal imbalances; deficit from dehydration or inadequate intake.
Clinical manifestations of hypernatremia.
Thirst, dry mucous membranes, confusion, muscle twitching, seizures.
Nursing management for hyponatremia.
Monitor sodium levels, assess symptoms, restrict water intake, administer hypertonic saline.
Causes of hyperkalemia.
Renal failure, excessive potassium intake, certain medications, cellular breakdown.
Hypokalemia and its manifestations.
Low potassium; symptoms include muscle weakness, cramping, fatigue, arrhythmias.
Implications of hypermagnesemia.
Symptoms may include muscle weakness, respiratory depression, hypotension, cardiac arrest.
Causes of hypomagnesemia.
Inadequate intake, gastrointestinal losses, renal losses, certain medications.
Significance of calcium imbalances.
Affects neuromuscular function, bone health, cardiovascular stability.
Clinical manifestations of hyperphosphatemia.
Itching, muscle cramps, calcium-phosphate deposits in tissues.
Acid-base regulation processes.
Involves buffer systems, respiratory control of CO2, renal regulation of bicarbonate and hydrogen ions.
Composition of common IV fluid solutions.
Includes isotonic (normal saline), hypotonic (half-normal saline), hypertonic (D5NS).
Importance of fluids, electrolytes, and acid-base balance.
Crucial for homeostasis and physiological processes.
Define homeostasis.
Equilibrium in the body’s internal environment, maintained by adaptive responses.
Water content in infants.
Infants have about 70% to 80% water content.
Water content variation with age in adults.
Adults have about 50% to 60% water; older adults have 45% to 55%.
Factors influencing body water content.
Varies with gender, body mass, and age.
Insensible loss of water.
Loss without awareness, such as through skin and respiration.
Sensible loss of water.
Measurable loss, such as through urine and sweat.
Importance of maintaining fluid balance.
Crucial for health and physiological functions.
Two main fluid compartments of the body.
ICF is fluid within cells; ECF includes intravascular (plasma) and interstitial fluid.
Define electrolytes and their significance.
Substances that dissociate into ions in water, crucial for balance and physiological functions.
Cations and anions categorization.
Cations are positively charged (e.g., Na+, K+); anions are negatively charged (e.g., HCO3-, Cl-).
Role of electrolytes in nursing practice.
Important for evaluating balance and determining electrolyte preparations.
Types of extracellular fluids (ECF).
Includes intravascular fluid (plasma) and interstitial fluid.
Measuring electrolytes in healthcare.
Helps evaluate balance and understand electrolyte preparations.
Primary cation in extracellular fluid (ECF).
Sodium (Na+).
Primary cation in intracellular fluid (ICF).
Potassium (K+).
Diffusion in fluid and electrolyte movement.
Passive process moving solutes from high to low concentration.
Facilitated diffusion.
Involves protein carriers, requiring no energy for movement.
Active transport with an example.
Requires energy to move molecules against the gradient; e.g., sodium-potassium pump.
How osmosis functions.
Movement of fluid between compartments via a semipermeable membrane.
Osmotic pressure.
Pressure needed to stop osmotic flow, indicating strength of the osmotic gradient.
Role of hydrostatic pressure in fluid movement.
Pressure exerted by fluid at equilibrium, influencing movement.
Importance of homeostasis in diffusion.
Achieved when solute concentrations equalize.
Active vs passive transport.
Active transport requires energy; passive transport does not.
Concentration gradient effect on facilitated diffusion.
Substances move down their gradient through protein carriers.
Significance of semipermeable membrane in osmosis.
Allows fluid movement but not solute.
Hydrostatic pressure in fluid movement.
Force within a fluid compartment, specifically blood pressure against capillary walls.
Define oncotic pressure.
Pressure exerted by colloids that draws fluid into vessels.
Hydrostatic pressure effect on capillary fluid movement.
Higher pressure pushes solutes and fluid into interstitial space.
Significance of albumin in fluid movement.
Acts as a ‘water magnet,’ increasing fluid retention in vessels.
Causes of hypoalbuminemia.
Includes anorexia, malnutrition, cirrhosis.
Clinical manifestations of low albumin levels.
Symptoms include edema, delayed healing, fatigue.
Increased albumin concentration effect on fluid movement.
Enhances fluid retention in vessels.
Oncotic pressure and edema relationship.
Decreased oncotic pressure can lead to edema.
Characteristics of isotonic IV fluids.
No net fluid shift; includes Lactated Ringers and 0.9% NaCl.
Water movement in hypotonic solutions.
Water moves from ECF to ICF by osmosis.
Define hypertonic IV fluids with an example.
Contain more solutes than fluid; e.g., 3% NaCl.
Potential causes of fluid imbalance.
Abnormal fluid loss, inadequate intake, excessive intake.
Treatment for fluid volume excess (hypervolemia).
Remove fluid without changing electrolyte composition.
Treatment for fluid volume deficit (hypovolemia).
Replace water and electrolytes with balanced IV solutions.
Mnemonic for hypertonic and hypotonic effects on cells.
‘Hippos swell cells’ for hypotonic; ‘Hyperactivity makes you skinny’ for hypertonic.
Describe fluid spacing.
Distribution of fluid categorized into first, second, and third spacing.
Significance of osmolality in IV fluid administration.
Determines water movement between compartments.
Role of sodium (Na+) in fluid balance.
Major role in ECF volume and nerve impulse transmission.
Body management of hyponatremia.
Fluid restriction and sodium-containing solutions; consider hypertonic saline if CNS symptoms present.
Define hypernatremia and its causes.
High sodium levels due to decreased ADH, hyperosmolar IV fluids, fluid loss.
Clinical manifestations of hyponatremia.
Symptoms include confusion, nausea, seizures.
Body response to hypernatremia.
Thirst sensation and renal excretion of excess sodium.
Nursing considerations for fluid volume management.
Include interventions, evaluations, monitoring electrolyte levels.
Significance of normal sodium range.
Normal range is 135-145 mmol/L; consider fluid volume status.
Clinical manifestations of hypernatremia.
Thirst, agitation, seizures.
Hypothalamus contribution to fluid balance.
Regulates balance by sensing osmolarity and stimulating thirst.
Interventions for managing hypernatremia.
Treat underlying cause and consider diuretics.
Clinical indications of fluid volume excess.
Indications include edema, hypertension, weight gain.
Diagnostic tests for fluid volume excess.
May include blood tests, urine tests, chest X-rays.
Treatment for fluid volume excess.
May involve diuretics, dietary modifications, fluid restriction.
Normal range for potassium (K+) levels.
Normal range is 3.5 - 5.0 mmol/L.
Role of Na/K pump in potassium regulation.
Maintains potassium levels by actively transporting sodium out and potassium into cells.
Potassium (K+) contribution to nerve and muscle function.
Essential for nerve and muscle impulse transmission.
Sources of potassium (K+).
Includes fruits, vegetables, salt substitutes.
Causes of hypokalemia.
Includes renal or gastrointestinal loss, magnesium deficiency.
Manifestations of hypokalemia.
Include cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, cramps.
Management of hypokalemia.
Managed with potassium supplements, orally or via IV.
Nursing considerations for IV potassium administration.
Monitor serum potassium levels, ensure slow infusion.
Manifestations of hyperkalemia.
Include cardiac issues, muscle symptoms, CNS effects.
Management of hyperkalemia.
Includes ECG monitoring, dialysis, potassium elimination.
Causes of hyperkalemia.
Impaired renal excretion, shifts from ICF to ECF.
Normal range for serum potassium levels.
Normal range is 2.25 - 2.75 mmol/L.
Role of calcium in the body.
Essential for nerve impulses, muscle contraction, blood clotting.
How calcium levels are regulated.
Regulated by parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin, vitamin D.
Dietary sources of calcium.
Includes dairy products and green vegetables.
Relationship between calcium and phosphorus.
Inverse relationship; as one increases, the other decreases.
Signs of hypocalcemia.
Include nerve excitability, laryngeal stridor, tetany.
Management of hypocalcemia.
Includes treating the cause, administering calcium and vitamin D.
Causes of hypocalcemia.
Include decreased PTH production, malnutrition.
Manifestations of hypercalcemia.
Include confusion, cardiac arrhythmias, fatigue.
Management of hypercalcemia.
Involves excretion with diuretics, hydration.
Common causes of hypercalcemia.
Include hyperparathyroidism, malignancy, vitamin D overdose.
Role of parathyroid hormone in calcium regulation.
PTH promotes calcium transfer to plasma and reabsorption.
Significance of Trousseau’s and Chvostek’s signs.
Positive signs indicate hypocalcemia.
Body response to high serum calcium levels.
Suppresses release of parathyroid hormone (PTH).
Normal range for phosphorus levels.
Normal range is 1.12 - 1.45 mmol/L.
Role of phosphorus in the body.
Essential for muscle function and bone structure.
Condition indicated by elevated serum phosphorus levels.
Hyperphosphatemia indicates elevated phosphorus levels.
Causes of hyperphosphatemia.
Related to renal failure, laxative overuse.
What is hypophosphatemia?
Low serum phosphate, usually due to malnutrition.
Relationship between phosphate and calcium.
Inverse relationship; as one increases, the other decreases.
Normal range for magnesium levels.
Normal range is 0.74 - 1.07 mmol/L.
Storage and importance of magnesium.
Stored in bones; vital for ATP reactions.
Manifestations of hypomagnesemia.
Include confusion, seizures, tremors.
Common causes of hypomagnesemia.
Include fasting, chronic alcohol use.
Management of hypomagnesemia.
Includes oral supplements and parenteral magnesium sulfate.
Effects of low magnesium on the nervous system.
Causes neuromuscular and CNS hyperirritability.
Symptoms of hypermagnesemia.
Include hypotension, lethargy, nausea.
Treatment of hypermagnesemia in emergencies.
Includes IV calcium gluconate and fluids.
Define hypermagnesemia.
High serum magnesium levels, depressing neuromuscular functions.
Normal pH range of blood.
Normal pH is 7.35 to 7.45.
Role of hydrogen ions in acid-base balance.
Determine acidity of fluids, measured as pH.
Systems maintaining acid-base balance.
Buffer systems, respiratory system, and renal system.
Dietary changes for managing hypermagnesemia.
Limit magnesium-containing foods.
Effects of hypermagnesemia on neuromuscular function.
Depresses function, leading to loss of reflexes.
Consequences of untreated hypermagnesemia.
Can lead to coma, respiratory arrest.
Metabolic processes and acid production relationship.
Metabolic processes produce acids affecting balance.
Common causes of acid-base imbalances.
Diabetes, COPD, kidney disease, vomiting.
Primary regulators of acid-base balance.
Bicarbonate-carbonic acid buffer, phosphate buffer, protein buffers.
How the respiratory system regulates acid-base balance.
By eliminating or retaining CO2.
Role of kidneys in acid-base balance.
Eliminate nonvolatile acids and regulate bicarbonate.
Normal pH range for blood.
Normal range is 7.35 - 7.45.
Significance of paO2 in blood analysis.
Measures dissolved O2; normal range is 75 - 100 mmHg.
What does paCO2 indicate?
Indicates dissolved CO2; normal range is 35 - 45 mmHg.
Define HCO3 and its role.
Form of CO2 transported to lungs; normal range is 22 - 26 mmol/L.
What does SpO2 measure?
Measures hemoglobin saturation with O2; normal range is 94 - 100%.
Respiratory acidosis and its cause.
Occurs due to carbonic acid excess from hypoventilation.
Explain respiratory alkalosis.
Characterized by carbonic acid deficit during hyperventilation.
Define metabolic acidosis and triggers.
Bicarbonate deficit from acid accumulation or loss.
How metabolic alkalosis occurs.
Due to acid loss or bicarbonate gain.
When ABGs are indicated.
When assessing pH status and acid-base imbalances.
Information provided by ABGs.
Critical data on pH status and acid-base disorders.
Structural changes in kidneys affecting older adults.
Decrease ability to conserve water.
Impact of subcutaneous tissue loss in older adults.
Increases moisture loss.
Impact of reduced thirst mechanism in older adults.
Decreases fluid intake.
Nursing actions to prevent imbalances in older patients.
Assess age-related changes and implement treatments.
Importance of assessing older adults for imbalances.
Crucial due to kidney changes and age-related factors.
Types of samples for diagnostic tests.
Use urine, venous blood, and arterial blood samples.
