Download Electrolytes in Infusion Therapy: Functions, Imbalances, and Symptoms and more Slides Enzymes and Metabolism in PDF only on Docsity!
Infusion Therapy
Learning Exercise: Imbalance of Electrolytes
n this learning activity, you are asked to complete the table by adding the missing information. You should first identify in the left-hand column whether the electrolyte is intracellular or extracellular. Then complete the right-hand column with the functions of the electrolyte and the indications of imbalance in either direction – lower or higher levels. In addition, if you can think of any issues related to IV infusion of the electrolyte, you should add those in the right-hand column.
ELECTROLYTE FUNCTION/INDICATIONS OF IMBALANCE
Potassium (K+)
Magnesium (Mg++)
Sodium (Na+)
Chloride (Cl-)
Bicarbonate (HCO3-)
Calcium (Ca+)
I
Answers for Electrolyte Table
Potassium (K+) (Intracellular)
The distribution of potassium between the intracellular and extracellular compartments regulates electrical membrane potentials controlling the excitability of nerve and muscle cells as well as the contractility of skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle tissue.
When levels of potassium are low (hypokalemia), signs and symptoms include dizziness, muscle weakness, leg cramps, cardiac arrhythmia, hypotension, thirst, nausea, anorexia, poorly concentrated urine, [and] polyuria.
When levels of potassium are high (hyperkalemia), signs and symptoms include nausea and vomiting, intestinal cramps, diarrhea, paresthesias, weakness, dizziness, muscle cramps, changes in electrocardiogram, [and] risk of cardiac arrest with severe excess.
Magnesium (Mg++) (Intracellular)
Magnesium acts as a cofactor in many intracellular enzyme reactions…[and] is essential to all reactions that require ATP, for every step related to replication and transcription of DNA, and for the translation of messenger RNA…[and] is required for cellular energy metabolism.
A low level of magnesium (hypomagnesemia) usually occurs in conjunction with hypocalcemia and hypokalemia, and signs and symptoms include personality change, athetoid or choreiform movements, nystagmus, tetany…tachycardia, hypertension, [and] cardiac arrhythmias.
When levels of magnesium are high (hypermagnesemia), signs and symptoms include lethargy, hyporeflexia, confusion, coma, hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, [and] cardiac arrest.
Sodium (Na+) (Extracellular)
Sodium serves as the primary determinant of blood osmolality. It is also important in regulating acid-base balance…[and] contributes to the function of the nervous system and other excitable tissue.
When levels of sodium are low (hyponatremia), signs and symptoms include muscle cramps, weakness, headache, depression, apprehension, feeling of impending doom, personality changes, lethargy, stupor, coma, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, [and] diarrhea.
When levels of sodium are high (hypernatremia), signs and symptoms include polydipsia, oliguria or anuria, high urine specific gravity, dry skin and mucous membranes, decreased tissue turgor, tongue rough and fissured, decreased salivation and lacrimation, headache, agitation, restlessness, decreased reflexes, seizures and coma, tachycardia, weak and thready pulse, decreased blood pressure, [and] vascular collapse.
