Fluid and Electrolyte Flash Cards

Chemical substances that develop anelectric charge and are able to conduct an electric current when placed in water; ions

Ions that carry a positive charge

Ions that carry a negative charge

• Regulate fluid blance and hormone production
• Strengthen skeletal structures
• Act as catalysts in nerve response, muscle contraction, and the metabolism of nutrients

• Fluid Volume Deficit
• Loss of water and electrolytes from the ECF

• Fluid Volume Deficit
• Loss of water with no loss of electrolytes

• Hematocrit
• Serum electrolytes
• Urine specific gravity

• Fluid Volume Excess
• Water and Sodium retained in abnormally high proportions

• Fluid Volume Excess
• More water gained than electrolytes

• Pulmonary edema
• Heart Failure

• Hematocrit
• Serum electrolytes
• Protein

• Sodium
• Potassium
• Chloride
• Magnesium
• Phosphorous
• Calcium

• Major electrolyte found in the ECF
• Essential for maintenance of acid-base balance, active and passive transport mechanisms, and irritability and conduction of nerve and muscle tissue

Between 136 and 145 mEq/L

• Serum sodium levels less than 136 mEq/L
• Net gain of water or loss of sodium-rich fluids
• Water moves from ECF to ICF causing cells to swell

• Serum Sodium level more than 145 mEq/L
• Serious electrolyte imbalance;can cause significant neurological, endocrine, and cardiac disturbances
• Cells become dehydrated

• Major cation in ICF
• Plays a vital role in cell metabolism; transmission of nerve impulses; functioning of cardiac, lung, and muscle tissues; and acid-base balance

3.5 to 5 mEq/L

• Serum potassium level less than 3.5 mEq/L
• Result of an increased loss of potassium from the body or movement of potassium into the cells

• Serum potassium levels more than 5 mEq/L
• Result of an increased intake of potassium, movement of potassium out of the cells, or inadequate renal excretion

Essential for proper functioning of the CV, neuromuscular, and endocrine systems, as well as blood clotting and teeth formation

9 to 10.5 mg/dL

Serum calcium level less than 9 mg/dL

1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L

Seum magnesium level less than 1.5 mEq/L

Major contributor to maintaining water balance

Dietary intake and aldosterone secretion

Is necessary for glycogen deposits in the liver and skeletal muscle, transmission and conduction of nerve impulses, normal cardiac conduction, and skeletal and smooth muscle contraction

Dietary intake and renal excretion regulate potassium.

Bone and teeth formation, blood clotting, hormone secretion, cell membrane integrity, cardiac conduction, transmission of nerve impulses, and muscle contraction

Absorbed from intestine, excreted by the kidneys and resorption or deposition in bone. Regulated by parathyroid hormone, vitamin D & calcitonin.

Essential for enzyme activities, neurochemical activities, and cardiac and skeletal muscle excitability

Serum magnesium is regulated by dietary intak, renal mechanisms, and actions of the parathyroid hormone (PTH).

95-105 mEq/L

Chloride is the major anion in ECF. The transport of chloride follows sodium.

Serum chloride is regulated by dietary intake and the kidneys

• 22-26 (arterial) mEq/L
• 24-30 (venous) mEq/L

The bicarbonate ion is an essential component of the carbonic acid-bicarbonate buffering system essential to acid-base balance.

The kidneys regulate bicarbonate.

2.8-4.5 mg/dL

It assists in acid-base regulation. Phosphate and calcium help to develop and maintain bones and teeth. Phosphate also promotes normal neuromuscular action and participates in carbohydrate metabolism.

Phosphate is normally absorbed through the GI tract. It is regulated by dietary intake, renal excretion, intestinal absorption, and PTH.

• serum sodium level below 135 mEq/L
• serum osmolality 280 mOsm/kg
• urine specific gravity below 1.010 (if not caused by SIADH)

• apprehension
• personality change
• postural hypotension
• postural dizziness
• abdominal cramping
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhea
• tachycardia
• dry mucous membranes
• convulsions
• coma

• serum sodium levels above 145 mEq/L
• serum osmolality 300 mOsm/kg
• urine specific gravity 1.030 (if not caused by diabetes insipidus)

• extreme thirst
• dry and flushed skin
• dry and sticky tongue and mucous membranes
• postural hypotension
• fever
• agitation
• convulsions
• restlessness
• irritability

• serum potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L
• electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities: flattened T wave; ST segment depression; u wave; potentiated digoxin effects (e.g., ventricular dysrhythmias)

• weakness and fatigue
• muscle weakness
• nausea and vomiting
• intestinal distention
• decreased bowel sounds
• decreased deep tendon reflexes
• ventricular dysrhythmias
• paresthesias
• weak, irregular pulse

• serum potassium level above 5.0 mEq/L
• ECG abnormalities: peaked T wave and widened QRS complex (bradycardia, heart block, dysrhythmias); eventually QRS pattern widens, and cardiac arrest occurs

• anxiety
• dysrhythmias
• paresthesia
• weakness
• abdominal cramps
• diarrhea

• serum ionized calcium level below 4.5 mEq/L OR total serum calcium below 8.5 mg/dL
• ECG abnormalities: ventricular tachycardia

• numbness and tingling of fingers and circumoral (around mouth) region
• hyperactive reflexes
• positive Trousseau’s sign (carpopedal spasm with hypoxia)
• positive Chvostek’s sign (contraction of facial muscles when facial nerve is tapped)
• tetany
• muscle

• serum ionized calcium level above 5.5 mEq/L or total serum calcium level above 10.5 mg/dl
• x-ray examination showing generalized osteoporosis, widespread bone cavitation, radiopaque urinary stone
• elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level 25 mg/100 ml
• elevated creatinine level 1.5 mg/100 ml caused by fluid volume deficit (FVD) or renal damage caused by urolithiasis
• ECG abnormalities: heart block

• anorexia
• nausea and vomiting
• weakness
• hypoactive reflexes
• lethargy
• flank pain (from kidney stones)
• decreased level of consciousness
• personality changes
• cardiac arrest

serum magnesium level below 1.5 mEq/L

• muscular tremors
• hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
• confusion and disorientation
• tachycardia
• hypertension
• dysrhythmias
• positive Chvostek’s sign and Trousseau’s sign

• serum magnesium level above 2.5 mEq/L
• ECG abnormalities: prolonged QT interval, AV block

• acute elevations in magnesium levels
• hypoactive deep tendon reflexes
• decreased depth and rate of respirations
• hypotension
• flushing