Pharm - Unit 3 - Chapter 29 - Fluid and Electrolytes

Key terms and prototypes

Dehydration

Excessive loss of water from the body tissues. It is accompanied by an imbalance in the concentrations of electrolytes, particularly sodium, potassium, and chloride.

Edema

The abnormal accumulation of fluid in interstitial spaces.

Hyperkalemia

An abnormally high potassium concentration in the blood, most often the result of defective renal excretion but also caused by excessive dietary potassium or certain drugs, such as potassium-sparing diuretics or angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and other causes such as acidosis.

Hypokalemia

A condition in which there is an inadequate amount of potassium in the bloodstream; possible causes include diarrhea, diuretic use, and others.

Hypernatremia

An abnormally high sodium concentration in the blood; may be due to defective renal excretion but is more commonly caused by excessive dietary sodium or replacement therapy or the loss of water.

Hyponatremia

A condition in which there is an inadequate amount of sodium in the bloodstream, caused by inadequate excretion of water or by excessive water intake.

Potassium

Mechanism of Action: Intracellular electrolyte

Indications: Potassium depletion

Adverse Effects: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting

Contraindications: Drug allergy, hyperkalemia

Sodium

Mechanism of Action: Major cation in the extracellular fluid, regulates fluid distribution

Indications: Sodium depletion

Adverse Effects: Nausea, vomiting, cramps

Contraindications: Drug allergy, hypernatremia