Electrolyte Imbalances: Sodium Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the symptoms, causes, and treatments of hyponatremia and hypernatremia based on the lecture transcript.

Hyponatremia

A condition characterized by low sodium levels in the blood, which significantly affects the central nervous system and makes the patient prone to seizures.

Hypernatremia

A condition where sodium levels are too high, leading to symptoms such as agitation, confusion, muscle jerky contractions, and potentially a coma.

Hyponatremia Mental Status

Patients often present with an altered mental status, which may include confusion and a lack of orientation.

Hyponatremia Muscle Symptoms

Characterized by very weak grip strength and very weak tendon reflexes.

Hypovolemia Heart Rate

When blood volume is low alongside sodium, the heart rate beats fast to try and use what blood is available in the system.

Hypovolemia Pulses

Pulses that are really weak because there is not enough volume or blood circulating.

Bounding Pulses

A characteristic of pulses when there is extra fluid in the system, often associated with hyper-states.

GI Causes of Low Sodium

Vomiting, diarrhea, GI suction, and being on complete gut rest with an NG tube.

Water Intoxication

Drinking too much water, which dilutes everything in the system and causes sodium and potassium to be excreted through urine; often seen in schizophrenics.

Environmental Cause of Low Sodium

Excessive sweating, commonly occurring in people who work outside like roofers and contractors.

3% Normal Saline

A high-concentration saline solution used to replace sodium in severe cases; it requires close monitoring in a unit because it can alter intracranial pressure.

High Sodium Foods

Canned foods, shrimp, soup, and processed meats, which are encouraged for patients needing to replace sodium.

Hypernatremia Muscle Indicators

Skeletal muscles may display jerky, irregular contractions and muscle cramps.

Hypernatremia Mucosa

The mouth and mucous membranes become very dry due to high sodium levels.

Hypernatremia Treatment

Increasing water intake to dilute the salt, decreasing dietary salt, and administering isotonic solutions.

Aldosterone

A hormone whose decreased production can be a cause of low sodium levels.