3221: LECTURE 1 PART 2

Hyponatremia causes cells to?

SWELL

Why do cells swell in hyponatremia?

Water moves from hypotonic ECF → ICF

Main system affected by hyponatremia?

Neurologic/brain

Major complication of hyponatremia?

Cerebral edema

Early symptoms of hyponatremia?

Nausea + headache + vomiting

Late/severe symptoms of hyponatremia?

Seizures, coma, brainstem herniation, death

Respiratory complication of severe hyponatremia?

Hypoxia/respiratory failure

Acute symptomatic hyponatremia is?

MEDICAL EMERGENCY

Patient with low Na⁺ + confusion/seizures—think?

Cerebral edema

Hypernatremia causes cells to?

SHRINK

Why do cells shrink in hypernatremia?

Water moves OUT of cells

Main symptoms of hypernatremia?

Neurologic changes

Mental status changes can progress from?

Mild changes → lethargy → deep coma

Sudden brain-cell shrinkage can cause?

Hemorrhage/hematoma

Muscle complication of hypernatremia?

Rhabdomyolysis

Chronic hypernatremia causes fewer severe neuro symptoms because?

The body adapts over time

Major danger when chronic hypernatremia is overcorrected?

Cerebral edema + seizures

ELECTROLYTES

Potassium disorders to know?

Hypokalemia + hyperkalemia

Magnesium disorders to know?

Hypomagnesemia + hypermagnesemia

Calcium disorders to know?

Hypocalcemia + hypercalcemia

Phosphate disorders to know?

Hypophosphatemia + hyperphosphatemia

LAB IMAGE QUESTIONS

K⁺ trending 3.4 → 3.3 → 2.6. What is happening?

Potassium is dropping → hypokalemia trend

Mg²⁺ repeatedly 1.5 and flagged low. What is happening?

Low magnesium trend

Phosphorus 1.6 → 1.2 → <1.0. What is happening?

Worsening low phosphorus trend