Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
Fluid Volume Deficit/Excess
100

What is the normal range for sodium?

135-145

100

What organ is responsible for excreting 80% of the body's potassium?

Kidney's through urine.

100

What group is at risk for chronic calcium loss?

Post-menopausal women

100

Where is magnesium commonly stored in the body? 

Bones and cartilage 

100

Why are older adults at higher risk for dehydration?

They have less total body water than young adults.

200

Complete this statement: Where sodium goes _____ follows.

Water

200

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.

200

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?)

200

What are two major causes of hypomagnesemia?

Inadequate intake/malnutrition (anorexia, diarrhea, Crohn's, starvation) and loop diuretics

200

The nurse notes a patient has lost 2.2lbs or 1kg. How much body fluid does this equal?

1000mL or 1L

300

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.

300

What EKG changes would the nurse anticipate in a patient with a potassium of 5.7?

Tall, peaked T-waves.


300

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.

300

When serum magnesium is low, what intracellular ion is also low? (Hint: it can cause cardiac arrythmias). 

Potassium

300

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

400

If your patient with hyponatremia has muscle weakness, which body system would you assess first?

Respiratory

400

Name 3 foods high in potassium.

Avocados, broccoli, bananas, organ meat, dairy, dried fruits, mushrooms, beans, peas, spinach.

400

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.

400

The antidote for magnesium toxicity is:

Calcium gluconate

400

What lab values would the nurse anticipate being decreased in a patient with hypervolemia?

Hemoglobin, hematocrit, protein.

500

Nutritional therapy for a patient with hypernatremia would focus on what two things?

Adequate water intake, decreased sodium intake.

500

What diuretic can lead to hypokalemia?

furosemide

500

When treating the patient with hypercalcemia, the nurse anticipates prescriptions for what IV fluid and what medication?

0.9% NS and furosemide

500

When administering magnesium intravenously, the nurse should assess ___________ hourly.

Deep tendon reflexes

500

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.