Electrolyte Imbalances

Question 1

Blood loss is ISOTONIC and contains many electrolytes. What are two types of blood loss

Answer 1

1. External
2. Internal (Thoracic/ Abdominal)

Question 2

What type of fluid loss would be hypotonic

Answer 2

Primary water loss

Question 3

What four conditions would result in Na+ sodium loss and could be treated with sodium chloride (saline)

Answer 3

1. Vomiting
2. Renal
3. Addison’s
4. Diarrhea

Question 4

What condition would result in the loss of Cl- chloride and could be treated with sodium chloride (saline)`

Answer 4

Vomiting

Question 5

What three conditions result in the loss of K+ potassium and can be treated with LRS

Answer 5

1. Anorexia/ vomiting
2. Cushing’s
3. Diabetes Mellitus

Question 6

What condition results in the loss of HCO3- bicarbonate

Answer 6

Diarrhea

Question 7

Clinical problems that can result from hyperkalemia or hypokalemia (K+ potassium abnormalities)

Answer 7

1. Heart rhythm
2. Acid base
3. Muscle
4. Kidney

Question 8

4 effects of Hypokalemia (Low K+)

Answer 8

1. Muscle Weakness
2. ECG Anomalies (abnormalities)
3. Acidosis
4. Hypokalemic Nephropathy

Question 9

When K+ is low, at what level in the blood does muscle weakness begin to occur?

Answer 9

<3.0 mEq/l

Question 10

When K+ is low, at what level in the blood does Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) begin to occur?

Answer 10

<2.0 mEq/l