Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
28 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
What is the normal serum level for sodium? |
135-145
|
|
|
What is the normal serum level for chloride? |
96-106 |
|
|
What is the normal serum level for potassium? |
3.5-5.0 |
|
|
What is the normal serum level for calcium? |
8.6-10.2 |
|
|
What is the normal serum level for phosphorus? |
2.4-4.4 |
|
|
What is the normal serum level for magnesium? |
1.5-2.5 |
|
|
Where is sodium primarily located?What is the function of sodium? |
Sodium is primarily located in the ECF, and helps maintain both the plasma osmolality (270-300) and osmotic pressure. |
|
|
What body system is most important to assess with both hyponatremia and hypernatremia? Why? |
The nervous system. Hyponatremia can cause cell swelling, and hypernatremia can cause cells to shrink. Brain cells are very sensitive to shrinking and swelling. |
|
|
Where is chloride primarily located?What is the function of chloride? |
Chloride is primarily located in the ECF, and helps maintain water distribution between the ECF and ICF. |
|
|
What type of relationship does sodium and water have? |
Sodium and water have a direct relationship. When one increases so does the other, and vice versa. |
|
|
What type of relationship does chloride and sodium have? |
Sodium and chloride have a direct relationship. Chloride follows sodium. |
|
|
Where is potassium primarily located? What is the function of potassium? |
Potassium is primarily located in the ICF, and helps maintain neuromuscular function and acid/base balance |
|
|
What would you want to watch for in a patient who is on digoxin and has a low potassium level? |
Those who have a low potassium have an increased risk of dig toxicity. |
|
|
What EKG changes might you see in a patient with high potassium? With low potassium? |
Hyperkalemia can cause a wide and flat P wave, widened QRS, and a tall peaked T wave. Hypokalemia can cause a slightly prolonged PR interval, ST depression, and a prominent U wave. |
|
|
What precaution should you take when administering potassium through an IV? |
Potassium is an irritant and can burn the vein. It should be mixed with lidocaine and given in a large vein at a very slow rate (no more than 10 mEq/hr). |
|
|
Where is calcium primarily located?What is the function of calcium? |
Calcium is primarily located in the ICF and ECF. Calcium assists with building bones and teeth, facilitating blood clots, and is required for muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission. |
|
|
What is the difference between bound calcium and ionized calcium? |
Bound calcium is bound to a protein (albumin) and is dependent on albumin. It is useful when the serum albumin is NORMAL. Ionized calcium is bound to nothing and is dependent on hydration status. It is useful when the albumin is ABNORMAL. |
|
|
What is released by the thyroid in response to a high calcium level? |
Calcitonin |
|
|
What is released by the parathyroid glands when calcium levels decline? |
PTH |
|
|
What type of relationship is calcium and phosphorus have? |
They have an invert relationship. |
|
|
Would you see a hyperactive nervous system in someone with a low calcium level? Why or why not? |
Yes, someone with low calcium levels will have a hyperactive nervous system and vica versa. This is because calcium creates stability in the nervous system. |
|
|
Where is magnesium primarily located? What is the function of magnesium? |
Mg is primarily located in the ICF and bones. It is required from muscle relaxation, supports immune function, and is needed for the absorption of calcium and B12. It is involved in 300 different chemical reactions. |
|
|
Would someone with hypomagnesemia show excitable or drowsy signs? |
Since magnesium is required from muscle relaxation, someone with a low magnesium would have excitable signs. |
|
|
Where is phosphorus primarily located? What is its function? |
PO4- is primarily located in the bones, teeth and ICF. It regulates calcium balance (invert relation), is needed for muscle contraction and nerve impulse, helps maintain the acid/base balance, and assists RBCs to release oxygen that is bound to HGB. |
|
|
Since calcium and phosphorus have an invert relationship, would calcitonin be released if phosphorus levels are low or high? |
Low. Calcitonin would cause calcium to be deposited into the bones resulting in a lower blood calcium level and a higher phosphorus level. |
|
|
What foods are high in phosphorus? |
Fish, nuts and seeds, dairy |
|
|
What type of IV fluid will increase the osmolarity of the blood and lead to possible vascular overload? |
Hypertonic (such as 3% or 5% NS). The osmotic pressure is increased, causing fluid to leave the cells and enter the extracellular space. |
|
|
What medicine is used to lower potassium levels, and can be given by mouth or rectally? |
Kayexalate |
