Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance Flashcards

Flashcards on Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance

What is a major cause of dehydration?

Loss of body fluids

Name a factor that can cause dehydration.

Sweating

Name another factor that can cause dehydration.

Vomiting

Name another factor that can cause dehydration

Diarrhea

Name another factor that can cause dehydration

Burns

Name another factor that can cause dehydration

Cancer

Name another factor that can cause dehydration

Organ failure

Name another factor that can cause dehydration

Fever

Name another factor that can cause dehydration

Medications and substance use disorders

Name another factor that can cause dehydration

Excessive bleeding

Name another factor that can cause dehydration

Hormonal imbalances

What can dehydration lead to?

Electrolyte imbalances

What are electrolyte imbalances?

Disruptions in the levels of essential minerals

Name some examples of essential minerals in the body.

Sodium, potassium, and magnesium

What are some mild symptoms of electrolyte imbalances?

Muscle cramps

What are some severe issues that electrolyte imbalances can cause?

Heart arrhythmias

When the body loses fluids, what else does it lose?

Electrolytes

What are electrolytes essential for?

Organ function

What happens to electrolyte concentrations during dehydration?

They increase and disrupt the body's normal balance

What does Na+ control?

Fluid levels and aids in muscle and nerve function

What does K+ support?

Heart, nerve, and muscle function

What is another role of K+?

Helps move nutrients waste in and out of cells and supports metabolism

What does Ca+ help with?

Blood vessels to contract and expand (vasoconstriction/vasodilation)

What is another function of Ca+?

Stabilizing blood pressure

What is another function of Ca+?

Helps support communication between nerves

What does Cl+ maintain?

Healthy blood levels, blood pressure and body fluids

What does Mg+ aid in?

Nerve and muscle function

What is another function of Mg+?

Promotes healthy bones and teeth

What does PO4 (Phosphate) support?

Skeletal, muscle and nerve function

What does HCO3 (bicarbonate) help maintain?

Acid-base balance in blood

What is another function of HCO3?

Moves CO2 through the blood

What is a common sign of dehydration

Thirst

What is another sign of dehydration?

Fatigue

What is another sign of dehydration?

Dry mouth or tongue

What is another sign of dehydration?

Dry skin

What is another sign of dehydration?

Headache

What is another sign of dehydration?

Decreased urine output

What is another sign of dehydration?

Darker yellow urine

What is poor skin turgor?

A sign of dehydration

What is another sign of dehydration?

Sunken eyes

What is another sign of dehydration?

Tachycardia

What is another sign of dehydration?

Hypotension

What is another sign of dehydration?

Pale skin

What is another sign of dehydration?

Cold hands and feet

Name a factor that influences fluid needs

Age

Name a factor that influences fluid needs

Activity level

Name a factor that influences fluid needs

Overall health

Name a factor that influences fluid needs

Pregnancy

Name a factor that influences fluid needs

Breast feeding

Name a factor that influences fluid needs

Medications

Name a factor that influences fluid needs

Environmental temperatures

What is adequate amount of fluid to drink for most people?

~8 fluid oz.

What can dehydration cause in the blood?

Electrolytes to become more concentrated

What is HCT?

Lab value that can indicate dehydration

What is Na+?

Lab value that can indicate dehydration

What is K+?

Lab value that can indicate dehydration

What are Creat. & BUN?

Lab values that can indicate dehydration

What is Albumin?

Lab value that can indicate dehydration

What are Lipids?

Lab value that can indicate dehydration

What does the sodium-potassium pump maintain?

Electrolyte balance across cell membranes

Where is the higher concentration of Na+ located in relation to the cell?

Outside

Where is the higher concentration of K+ located in relation to the cell?

Inside

What is the main function of electrolytes in the body?

Support essential organ functions including muscles and nerves

How does dehydration affect skin turgor?

Causes poor skin turgor

How does dehydration affect heart rate?

Can cause tachycardia (increased heart rate)

How does dehydration affect blood pressure?

Can cause hypotension (low blood pressure)

How can dehydration affect skin color?

Can cause pale skin

How does the body attempt to compensate for fluid loss?

Electrolyte concentrations increases and disruptions the body's normal balance.

What is the role of bicarbonate in the body?

Helps maintain acid-base balance in the blood and moves Co2 through the blood.

What can influence an individual's daily fluid requirements?

Age, activity level, overall health, pregnancy, breast feeding, medications, environmental temperatures.

What is the significance of urine color in determining hydration status?

Darker yellow urine can indicate dehydration

What type of medical conditions can increase the risk of dehydration?

Cancer, organ failure, hormonal imbalances

What specific types of medications can lead to dehydration?

Medications and substance use disorders

Define Electrolyte Imbalance

Disruptions in the levels of essential minerals like sodium, potassium, and magnesium in the body.

What is the function of sodium (Na+) in the body?

Controls fluid levels and aids in muscle and nerve function.

What is the function of potassium (K+) in the body?

Supports heart, nerve and muscle function, helps move nutrients waste in and out cells, and supports metabolism.

What is the function of calcium (Ca+) in the body?

Helps blood vessels to contract and expand (vasoconstriction/vasodilation) to stabilize blood pressure. Helps support communication between nerves.

What is the function of chloride (Cl+) in the body?

Maintains healthy blood levels, blood pressure and body fluids.

What is the function of magnesium (Mg+) in the body?

Aids in nerve and muscle function. Promotes healthy bones and teeth.

What is the function of phosphate (PO4) in the body?

Supports skeletal, muscle and nerve function.

What is the medical term for increased heart rate?

Tachycardia

What is the medical term for low blood pressure?

Hypotension

What is one way electrolyte imbalances affect the communication between nerves and muscles?

Can cause muscle cramps.

Name three common electrolytes

Sodium, Potassium, and Magnesium.

How does vomiting contribute to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance?

Vomiting expels fluids and electrolytes from the body leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

How do burns contribute to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance?

Burns damage the skin causing a loss of fluids and electrolytes from the area and thus leads to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

Is thirst a late or early sign of dehydration?

Early.

Is fatigue a late or early sign of dehydration?

Early.

Is decreased urine output a late or early sign of dehydration?

Early.

Is sunken eyes a late or early sign of dehydration?

Late.

Is pale skin a late or early sign of dehydration?

Late.

Is cold hands and feet a late or early sign of dehydration?

Late.

Why is Potassium essential to the body?

It is important to heart, nerve and muscle function. It also helps move nutrients waste in and out of cells, and supports metabolism.

What is the purpose of checking lab values?

Checking lab values can help indicate dehydration by checking the concentration of electrolytes in the blood.

Why is it important to address dehydration?

Dehydration can quickly lead to electrolyte imbalances which disrupt organ function.

What is a way electrolytes get lost?

Sweating.

What is a way electrolytes get lost?

Excessive bleeding.

Is eight ounces of water a sufficient amount of daily fluid?

Generally, because it is the average. Fluid needs vary based on the person and medical characteristics.

What electrolytes help with muscle function?

Na+, K+, and Mg+.

Do lipids indicate dehydration?

Lipids CAN indicate dehydration.