Week 7 - Electrolyte Imbalances

Question 1

Identify the potential causes of hypokalemia.
a. All listed options could cause hypokalemia.
b. Hyperaldosteronism.
c. Cushing’s syndrome.
d. Vomiting.
e. Alkalosis.

Answer 1

All listed options could cause hypokalemia.

Question 2

Positive Trousseau’s sign refers to simple procedure that elicits a body response in an electrolyte imbalance patient similar to what condition?
a. Convulsion.
b. Cardiac arrhythmia.
c. Paresthesia.
d. Carpopedal spasm.
e. Seizure.

Answer 2

Carpopedal spasm.
(Hypocalcemia = excitable)

Question 3

Addison’s disease would cause what electrolyte imbalance?
a. Hyperkalemia.
b. Hypernatremia.
c. Hypercalcemia.
d. Hypokalemia.
e. Hypocalcemia.

Answer 3

Hyperkalemia.

Question 4

What substance has the ability to release a hydrogen ion?
a. CO2.
b. HCO3-.
c. A base.
d. H+.
e. An acid.

Answer 4

An acid

Question 5

What electrolyte condition would be created by syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)?
a. Hypovolemic hyponatremia.
b. Hypervolemic hypernatremia.
c. Hypovolemic hypernatremia.
d. Hypokalemia.
e. Hypervolemic hyponatremia.

Answer 5

Hypervolemic hyponatremia.

Question 6

According to the Nernst equation an extracellular increase in which two electrolytes will lead to decreased cellular activity.
a. Potassium and calcium.
b. Magnesium and calcium.
c. Sodium and chloride.
d. Sodium and potassium.
e. Sodium and magnesium.

Answer 6

Magnesium and calcium.

Question 7

Respiratory acidosis is defined as:
a. Carbonic acid excess.
b. Insufficient acid production at the stomach.
c. Excessive bicarbonate retention at the kidneys.
d. Bicarbonate deficit.
e. Lung dysfunction.

Answer 7

Carbonic acid excess.
(Because this leads to more H+, driving pH down)

Question 8

What pH imbalance could lead to hypercalcemia?
a. Alkalosis.
b. Acidosis.

Answer 8

Acidosis.
(Hypercalcemia = depressed usually acodosis)

Question 9

What substance will change our blood pH the most?
a. A base that dissociates a small amount.
b. A weak acid.
c. A buffer.
d. An acid that dissociates substantially.

Answer 9

An acid that dissociates substantially.

Question 10

Which bicarbonate to hydrogen ion ratio would indicate acidosis?
a. 20:3.
b. 20:1.
c. 17:1.
d. 22:1.

Answer 10

17:1.

Question 11

If a diuretic regulates sodium at the kidneys as part of its function, what electrolyte imbalance would result from abuse of this diuretic?

Answer 11

Hypovolemic hyponatremia.

Question 12

What condition has been associated with ‘feelings of impending doom’?

Answer 12

Hypervolemic hyponatremia.

Question 13

Which of the following applies to metabolic acidosis?
a. Excess bicarbonate causes it and the pH will thus fall below 7.35.
b. Results when bicarbonate ion is present in excess.
c. It can occur after a period of prolonged vomiting.
d. Causes the pH of the blood to drop below 7.35.
e. All listed options are appropriate.

Answer 13

Causes the pH of the blood to drop below 7.35.

Question 14

If an electrolyte imbalance increases smooth muscle contraction what impact is likely?
a. Diarrhea.
b. Increased heart rate.
c. Tremors or tetany in body extremities.

Answer 14

Diarrhea.

Question 15

Which form of body buffer is the strongest at regulating blood pH?

Answer 15

Renal - strong but slow
Respiratory - med strength & timing
Chemical - weak but fast

Question 16

Hypercalcemia could be caused by which of the following conditions?
a. Alkalosis.
b. Explosive diarrhea.
c. Hyperparathyroidism.
d. SIADH.
e. Hypoaldosteronism.

Answer 16

Hyperparathyroidism.

Question 17

Excessive vitamin D consumption would cause which of the following electrolyte imbalances?

Answer 17

Hypercalcemia
High vit. D = High Calcium

Question 18

Hypoaldosteronism would lead to which of the following electrolyte imbalances?
a. Hypokalemia.
b. Both hypernatremia and hypokalemia.
c. Hypocalcemia.
d. Hypernatremia.
e. Hyponatremia.

Answer 18

Hyponatremia.

Question 19

A crushing injury would be most likely to cause which of the following electrolyte imbalances

Answer 19

Hyperkalemia
(Potassium crushed OUT of cells but
INTO interstitial fluid! Causing hyperkalemia)

Question 20

What blood protein is important in its role as a blood buffer?
a. Fibrinogen.
b. Gamma globulin.
c. Albumin.

Answer 20

Albumin

Question 21

According to the Nernst equation, what impact will a decreased concentration of single charge cations (such as K+ or Na+) have on cellular activity?
a. It increases it due to depolarization impacts.
b. It decreases it due to hyperpolarization impacts.

Answer 21

It decreases it due to hyperpolarization impacts.
(would be opposite in Mg and Ca2+)

Question 22

What form of acid do we produce when our cells are doing anaerobic respiration?

Answer 22

Lactic acid