What is the normal range for sodium?
135-145
What organ is responsible for excreting 80% of the body's potassium?
Kidney's through urine.
What group is at risk for chronic calcium loss?
Post-menopausal women
Where is magnesium commonly stored in the body?
Bones and cartilage
Why are older adults at higher risk for dehydration?
They have less total body water than young adults.
Complete this statement: Where sodium goes _____ follows.
Water
The nurse is preparing to administer potassium through IV bolus for severe hypokalemia. Name 3 facts the nurse must remember to safely administer this medication.
1. Potassium is never given IV push. 20meq/hr max.
2. IV infiltration can cause tissue necrosis.
3. Only pharmacy can prepare potassium for IV infusion.
The nurse is conducting a neuromuscular assessment on a patient admitted with hypocalcemia. What two signs would she anticipate to be positive?
Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs.
(Bonus: How are these performed?)
What are two major causes of hypomagnesemia?
Inadequate intake/malnutrition (anorexia, diarrhea, Crohn's, starvation) and loop diuretics
The nurse notes a patient has lost 2.2lbs or 1kg. How much body fluid does this equal?
1000mL or 1L
You are caring for a patient diagnosed with hyponatremia (sodium <135). What would you expect to find when you assess the GI system?
Hyperactive bowel sounds and frequent stools.
What EKG changes would the nurse anticipate in a patient with a potassium of 5.7?
Tall, peaked T-waves.
The nurse is conducting a neuromuscular assessment on a patient admitted with hypercalcemia. What would they anticipate when assessing deep tendon reflexes?
Decreased deep tendon reflexes.
When serum magnesium is low, what intracellular ion is also low? (Hint: it can cause cardiac arrythmias).
Potassium
The nurse is caring for a patient with fluid volume deficit. The nurse knows the two IV fluids that can be used to correct fluid volume deficit are:
0.9% normal saline and lactated ringer's
If your patient with hyponatremia has muscle weakness, which body system would you assess first?
Respiratory
Name 3 foods high in potassium.
Avocados, broccoli, bananas, organ meat, dairy, dried fruits, mushrooms, beans, peas, spinach.
When assessing the patient with hypercalcemia, the nurse knows cardiovascular changes are the most serious and life-threatening. What does the nurse need to monitor regularly?
Heart rate, blood pressure, overall perfusion.
The antidote for magnesium toxicity is:
Calcium gluconate
What lab values would the nurse anticipate being decreased in a patient with hypervolemia?
Hemoglobin, hematocrit, protein.
Nutritional therapy for a patient with hypernatremia would focus on what two things?
Adequate water intake, decreased sodium intake.
What diuretic can lead to hypokalemia?
furosemide
When treating the patient with hypercalcemia, the nurse anticipates prescriptions for what IV fluid and what medication?
0.9% NS and furosemide
When administering magnesium intravenously, the nurse should assess ___________ hourly.
Deep tendon reflexes
Name four assessment findings the nurse would anticipate when caring for a patient with fluid volume excess.
Bounding pulses, increased blood pressure, weight gain, distended veins (JVD), crackles in lungs, pitting edema.