Fluid Volume Frenzy
This type of fluid imbalance occurs when water and electrolytes are lost in equal proportion.
What is hypovolemia (isotonic fluid volume deficit)?
This electrolyte is the major intracellular cation and is essential for cardiac repolarization.
What is potassium?
The lungs primarily regulate this component of acid–base balance.
What is CO2?
Muscle weakness and shallow respirations are key symptoms of this electrolyte imbalance.
What is hypokalemia?
This action should be taken before administering potassium IV to ensure the patient will not develop Hyperkalemia.
What is verifying adequate kidney function and urine output?
This is the most reliable indicator of fluid balance, often used to track clinical progress in heart failure patients.
What is daily weight?
Chvostek and Trousseau signs are classic indicators of low levels of this electrolyte.
What is Calcium?
This acid–base imbalance is most commonly caused by diarrhea.
What is metabolic acidosis?
This acid–base disorder presents with lightheadedness, numbness, tingling, and carpopedal spasms.
What is respiratory alkalosis?
The priority intervention for a patient with hyperkalemia and peaked T waves is to prepare to administer this medication that stabilizes heart membranes.
What is IV calcium gluconate?
A patient with fluid volume excess may present with this adventitious lung sound due to pulmonary congestion.
What are crackles (rales)?
This electrolyte imbalance can result from excessive water intake and may cause confusion, seizures, and nausea.
What is hyponatremia?
A patient who is vomiting frequently is at risk for this alkalotic condition.
What is metabolic acidosis?
Confusion, bounding pulse, and edema are often seen in this fluid imbalance.
What is fluid volume excess?
This is the first step when caring for a patient with suspected fluid overload shortness of breath.
What is assessing respiratory status?
This IV solution is used to treat dehydration because it moves water into cells, causing them to swell.
What are hypotonic solutions (e.g., 0.45% NS)?
Tall, peaked T waves on an ECG are an early sign of this electrolyte disturbance.
What is hyperkalemia?
This compensatory mechanism for metabolic acidosis results in deep, rapid breathing.
What is Kussmaul Respirations?
This electrolyte imbalance often occurs with renal insufficiency and can cause decreased deep tendon reflexes.
What is hypermagnesemia?
For a patient in respiratory acidosis due to COPD, this intervention helps promote gas exchange.
What is encouraging pursed-lip breathing?
When a patient is experiencing a fluid shift away from the vasculature and into tissues such as in burns, cirrhosis, renal failure, or CHF, it is often referred to by this common name.
What is third spacing?
Magnesium sulfate is commonly given to treat this neuromuscular complication of hypomagnesemia.
What is hyperreflexia?
This is the primary organ responsible for long-term compensation of respiratory acidosis.
What are the kidneys?
Increased hematocrit and specific gravity may indicate this condition.
What is dehydration?
A patient with metabolic alkalosis due to gastric suction should receive this electrolyte, which is often lost in gastric fluids.
What is potassium?