patho fluid and electrolyte imbalances

potassium normal range

3.5.-5.0 mEq/L

what does potassium do for the body?

helps maintain heart and muscle contractions

hypo/hyper -kalemia can cause confusion and weakness towards respiratory failure

hyperkalemia s/s

tight and contracted

1. heart

   • ST elevation and peaked T waves

   • severe = V fib

   • hypotension and bradycardia

2. GI tract

   • diarrhea = hyperactive bowels

3. neuromuscular

   • paralysis in extremities

   • increased deep tendon reflexes

   • muscle weakness

hypokalemia s/s

low and slow

1. heart

   • flat T waves and ST depression

2. muscular

   • decreased DTR

   • muscle cramping

   • flaccid paralysis

3. GI

   • decreased motility = hypoactive bowels

   • constipation

   • abdominal distention

   • paralytic ileus

sodium normal range

135-145 mEq/L

what does sodium do for the body?

helps in maintaining blood pressure, blood volume, and pH balance

hypernatremia s/s

patient looks BIG and BLOATED

1. skin

   • red and rosy

2. edema

3. low grade fever

4. polydipsia = excess thirst

5. late serious signs

   • swollen dry (RED BEEFY) tongue

   • GI (N/D)

   • increased muscle tone

hyponatremia s/s

DEPRESSED and DEFLATED

1. neuro = seizures and coma

2. heart = tachycardia and weak thready pulse

3. respiratory arrest

chloride normal range

98-106 mEq/L

what does chloride do for the body?

same as sodium

helps maintain BP, blood volume, and pH balance

hyperchloremia s/s

same as hypernatremia

N/V, swollen dry (RED BEEFY) tongue, confusion

hypochloremia s/s

same as hyponatremia

excessive V/D and sweating, fever

magnesium normal range

1.3-2.1 mEq/L

what does magnesium do for the body?

helps in maintaining muscle function and is required for calcium and vitamin D absorption

“calcium’s best friend”

hypermagnesia s/s

calm and quiet

1. cardiac

   • heart block, prolonged PR intervals, bradycardia, hypotension

2. DTR = hypoflexia

3. lungs

   • decreased shallow respirations

4. GI = hypoactive bowels

hypomagnesia s/s

1. cardiac

   • ECG = ST depression, T wave inversion (flipped), Torsades de pointes

   • V fib and tachycardia

2. DTR = hypoflexia

3. eyes = nystagmus (abnormal eye movements)

4. GI = diarrhea

calcium normal range

9.0-10.5 mg/dL

hypocalcemia s/s

trousseau’s, chovostek’s, diarrhea, tingling around the mouth

can cause fractures, bleeding, dysrhythmias

hypercalcemia s/s

swollen/slow - moans, groans, stones

constipation, bone pain, stones (renal caculi), decreased DTR’s, severe muscle weakness

phosphate normal range

3.0-4.5 mg/dL

what does phosphate do for the body?

helps with bone and teeth formation and can regulate calcium

calcium’s enemy

hyperphosphatemia s/s

hypocalcemia = Baja Ca+2

trousseau’s, chvostek’s, diarrhea

weak bones, bleeding, low heartbeat

hypophosphatemia s/s

constipation, decreased DTR, severe muscle weakness, decreased heart rate/respirations, increased BP