Electrolytes

Question 1

What are electrolytes capable of carrying?

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Answer 1

Electric charge

Question 2

What are the two types of ions in electrolytes?

Answer 2

• Anion
• Cation

Question 3

What is necessary for maintaining electrolyte balance?

Answer 3

• Active transport
• Passive transport

Question 4

What is the effect of hemolysis on potassium levels?

Answer 4

Red cells contain potassium, hemolysis causes red cells to rupture releasing potassium, falsely increasing K levels in hemolyzed sample.

LIPAFAM

Question 5

What happens to potassium levels when blood is stored at 4C?

Answer 5

Potassium levels increase

Potassium leaks out of the cell at colder temps = pseudohyperkalemia

Question 6

What is the normal range for serum osmolality?

Answer 6

275-295 milliosm/kg

Question 7

What occurs with hyperosmolality?

Answer 7

Release of AVP (formerly ADH) and thirst

Vasopressin

Question 8

What does polydipsia lead to in terms of osmolality?

Answer 8

Lowered osmolality

Question 9

What is the primary role of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone-System?

Answer 9

Regulating blood volume

Question 10

What are the four colligative properties?

Answer 10

• Vapor pressure
• Osmotic pressure
• Boiling point
• Freezing point

Question 11

What is the formula for calculating osmolality?

Answer 11

2Na + urea + glucose

Question 12

What is the effect of ethanol in the lab setting?

Answer 12

Increased osmolality

Question 13

What is the normal range for sodium levels?

Answer 13

135-145 mmol/L

Question 14

What is pseudohyponatremia?

Answer 14

A false low sodium level due to high lipids

Question 15

What are the causes of hypernatremia?

Answer 15

• Loss of water
• Profuse sweating
• Diarrhea
• Diabetes insipidus

Question 16

What is the critical value for sodium levels?

Answer 16

<120 mmol/L

Question 17

What is the reference range for potassium levels?

Answer 17

3.5-5.0 mmol/L

Question 18

What can cause hypokalemia?

Answer 18

• GI loss from vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Renal loss
• Insulin

Question 19

What is the major intracellular cation?

Answer 19

Potassium

Question 20

What is the major extracellular anion?

Answer 20

Chloride

Question 21

What is the bicarbonate range in the body?

Answer 21

22-28 mmol/L

Question 22

What is the function of bicarbonate in the blood?

Answer 22

Major component in buffering system

Question 23

What is the anion gap range without potassium?

Answer 23

7-16

Question 24

What are your primary causes of acidosis?

Answer 24

• Methanol
• Uremia
• DKA
• Paraldehydes
• Inhalants
• Lactic acids
• Ethanol
• Salicylates

MUDPILES

Question 25

What is the primary cause of pseudohyperkalemia?

Answer 25

Hemolysis

Question 26

What happens to potassium levels in the event of gross hemolysis?

Answer 26

Can increase potassium by 30%

Question 27

What is the consequence of prolonged tourniquet application?

Answer 27

Increased potassium levels

Question 28

What is the method of measuring potassium?

Answer 28

ISE with Valinomycin membrane

Question 29

What is the effect of chilling on potassium levels?

Answer 29

Increases potassium levels

Question 30

What is the preferred specimen for potassium measurement?

Answer 30

Plasma

Question 31

What is the major component that contributes to osmolality?

Answer 31

Sodium

Question 32

What is a critical potassium level?

Answer 32

>6 or <3 mmol/L

Question 33

What is the relationship between ADH and blood volume?

Answer 33

ADH helps retain water to maintain blood volume

Question 34

What happens when someone is dehydrated?

Answer 34

Retain sodium and excrete potassium | Hyperosmolar, ADH stim retention of Na because where Na goes water flows

Question 35

What does a low specific gravity indicate in a urine sample?

Answer 35

Dilute urine, often seen in diabetes insipidus

Question 36

What hormone is released by the posterior pituitary?

Answer 36

ADH (Vasopressin)