Lecture on Electrolyte Imbalances

Introduction

• Presenter: Nurse Mike from simplenursing.com
• Main Topic: Electrolyte imbalances and their effects on the body
• Resources: Free quiz and study guides available

Potassium (K+)

• Function: Maintains heart and muscle contraction

Hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0)

• Heart:
  • Symptoms: Tight and contracted heart, ST elevation, peaked T waves, wide QRS
  • Severe cases: V-fib, cardiac standstill, hypotension, bradycardia
• Gastrointestinal:
  • Symptoms: Diarrhea, hyperactive bowel sounds
• Neuromuscular:
  • Symptoms: Paralysis in extremities, paresthesia, increased DTRs, muscle weakness
• Priority Signs: Profound and severe symptoms indicate urgent assessment

Hypokalemia (K+ < 3.5)

• Heart:
  • Symptoms: Flat T waves, ST depression, prominent U waves
• Muscular:
  • Symptoms: Decreased DTRs, paralysis
• Gastrointestinal:
  • Symptoms: Decreased motility, hypoactive bowel sounds, constipation, paralytic ileus

Sodium (Na+)

• Function: Maintains blood pressure, blood volume, pH balance

Hypernatremia

• Symptoms: Flushed skin, edema, low-grade fever, excessive thirst (polydipsia)
• Late signs: Swollen dry tongue, nausea, vomiting, increased muscle tone

Hyponatremia

• Causes: Too much or too little fluid
• Critical Symptoms:
  • Neurological: Seizures, coma
  • Cardiovascular: Tachycardia, weak pulses
  • Respiratory: Arrest (not breathing)

Chloride (Cl-)

• Function: Follows sodium; maintains blood volume, blood pressure, pH

Hyperchloremia

• Symptoms: Similar to high sodium, including nausea, vomiting, dry tongue, confusion

Hypochloremia

• Symptoms: Excessive diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, fever

Magnesium (Mg2+)

• Function: Maintains muscle relaxation, calms heart, uterus, DTRs
• Role: Necessary for calcium and vitamin D absorption

Hypermagnesemia

• Heart: Calm, heart blocks, prolonged PR intervals
• DTRs: Hypo-reflexia
• Respiratory: Shallow respirations
• GI: Hypoactive bowel sounds

Hypomagnesemia

• Heart: Torsades de pointes, V-fib, tachycardia, ST depression, T-wave inversion
• DTRs: Hyper-reflexia
• Eyes: Nystagmus
• GI: Diarrhea

Calcium (Ca2+)

• Function: Strengthens bones, blood clotting, and heartbeats

Hypercalcemia

• Symptoms: Constipation, bone pain, kidney stones, decreased DTRs, muscle weakness

Hypocalcemia

• Symptoms: Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs, diarrhea, circumoral tingling
• Effects: Risk for fractures, bleeding, cardiac dysrhythmias

Phosphate (PO4)

• Function: Bone and teeth formation, regulates calcium
• Relationship with Calcium: Inversely related

Hyperphosphatemia

• Symptoms: Similar to low calcium, Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs, diarrhea

Hypophosphatemia

• Symptoms: Similar to high calcium, constipation, decreased DTRs, muscle weakness, decreased heart and respiratory rate, kidney stones

Conclusion

• Resources: Free trial and quiz bank available
• Acknowledgment: Thanks to the team of experts
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