Electrolyte Basics
This term describes the concentration of solutes in body fluids; imbalances can affect cell swelling or shrinking.
What is osmolality?
Hyponatremia is usually caused by an excess of this.
What is water (or fluid overload)?
This type of blood product is primarily used to treat anemia and is derived from whole blood.
What are packed red blood cells?
The first action when any transfusion reaction is suspected.
What is stop the transfusion?
Before administering blood products, this is the first step a nurse should take to ensure patient safety.
What is verifying the blood type and matching it with the recipient?
This organ system is the primary regulator of electrolyte balance.
What are the kidneys?
What electrolyte imbalance often causes peaked T waves, and affects the heart?
What is Hyperkalemia?
This blood product contains clotting factors and is often used for patients with bleeding disorders.
What is fresh frozen plasma (FFP)?
Chills, fever, headache, and flushing commonly indicate this type of reaction.
What is a febrile non‑hemolytic reaction?
In the event of a transfusion reaction, the acronym "Stop, Change, Report, Remain, Prepare, Save, and Collect" outlines the steps a nurse should take. What does the "Change" step involve?
What is changing the IV tubing down and infusing normal saline?
Name the hormone that increases sodium and water retention.
What is aldosterone?
What electrolyte imbalance causes the classic Chvostek's sign, a neuromuscular sign triggered by tapping the facial nerve?
What is hypocalemia?
The antibodies in a person’s plasma attack these components if incompatible blood is given.
What are foreign antigens?
Back pain, hypotension, and hemoglobinuria suggest this severe reaction.
What is an acute hemolytic reaction?
A key intervention when administering IV potassium.
What is never giving IV potassium as a push/bolus, always put it on an IV pump?
This electrolyte is essential for neuromuscular transmission and cardiac impulse conduction.
What is potassium?
What electrolyte imbalance is associated with diuretics, vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive insulin administration?
What is hypokalemia?
A person with type A blood can safely receive RBCs from these donor types.
What are type A or O?
Dyspnea, crackles, and hypertension during transfusion suggest this condition.
What is TACO (transfusion‑associated circulatory overload)?
These two components must be checked at the bedside by two licensed personnel before transfusing blood.
What are the patient’s ID (name/DOB/MRN) and blood product label?
These three blood components are commonly assessed together to evaluate overall electrolyte and metabolic balance.
What are sodium, potassium, and calcium levels?
What electrolyte imbalance affects the musculoskeletal system, causing muscle weakness and lethargy and caused by conditions like hyperparathyroidism?
What is hypercalcemia?
Albumin is used primarily for this purpose.
What is volume expansion (or increasing oncotic pressure)?
Hypotension, wheezing, and anxiety during transfusion are signs of this.
What is an anaphylactic reaction?
If blood is not used within this time frame after leaving the blood bank, it must be returned.
What is 30 minutes?