Fluids and Electrolyte Imbalances (Hypocalcemia, Hypomagnesemia, Hypermagnesemia, Hypercalcemia)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to electrolyte disorders and fluid balance.

Hypocalcemia

Low calcium in the blood; signs include Chvostek sign and Trousseau sign.

Chvostek sign

Twitching of facial muscles when tapping the facial nerve; a sign of hypocalcemia.

Trousseau sign

Carpopedal spasm when blood flow is occluded; a sign of hypocalcemia.

Hypercalcemia

High calcium level in the blood.

Hypercalcemia treatment

Therapies listed: IV fluids with a diuretic or PO phosphate.

Hypomagnesemia

Low magnesium in the blood.

Hypomagnesemia mild signs

Nausea/vomiting; decreased appetite; fatigue; weakness.

Hypomagnesemia severe signs

Muscle cramps; numbness; seizures; tetany; personality changes; cardiac dysrhythmias.

Hypomagnesemia treatment

Magnesium supplements; foods high in magnesium.

Magnesium-rich foods

Cooked spinach; pumpkin seeds; black beans.

Hypermagnesemia

Elevated magnesium in the blood.

Hypermagnesemia mild signs

Nausea; dizziness; weakness; confusion.

Hypermagnesemia severe signs

Confusion; sleepiness; blurred vision; headache; decreased reflexes; bladder paralysis; flushing; constipation.

Hypermagnesemia treatment

IV calcium gluconate or calcium chloride; diuretics.

IV calcium gluconate

Calcium salt given intravenously to treat hypermagnesemia.

Fluid compartments

Different body fluid spaces where water and solutes are distributed.

Fluid imbalances

Disorders caused by abnormal shifts of water between compartments.

Regulation mechanisms

Body systems that regulate fluid balance (thirst, ADH, osmosis).

Thirst

Drive to drink water triggered by dehydration or changes in plasma osmolality.

ADH (vasopressin)

Hormone that promotes water reabsorption in the kidneys.

Osmosis

Movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from lower to higher solute concentration.