Electrolyte Basics
This is the normal range for serum sodium.
What is 135–145 mEq/L?
This electrolyte imbalance is most likely found in a marathon runner who collapses after the race and is confused.
What is Hyponatremia?
This is the most common type of isotonic IV fluid solution.
What is normal saline (0.9% NaCl)?
This is the normal range for arterial blood pH.
What is 7.35–7.45?
This organ system compensates for metabolic acidosis.
What are the lungs (respiratory system)?
This electrolyte is the primary intracellular cation.
What is Potassium (K⁺)?
A COPD patient in respiratory acidosis may try to compensate by shifting this electrolyte intracellularly.
What is Potassium?
This lung sound may be heard in a patient with fluid volume excess.
What is crackles?
This component of an ABG reflects respiratory function.
What is PaCO₂?
This organ system compensates for respiratory acid-base imbalances.
What are the kidneys?
Chvostek’s and Trousseau’s signs are associated with this electrolyte imbalance?
What is Hypocalcemia?
This electrolyte imbalance is mostly found in a patient with chronic kidney disease who reports muscle twitching, nausea, and palpitations. ECG shows peaked T-waves.
What is Hyperkalemia?
This is the main protein in plasma that helps maintain oncotic pressure.
What is albumin?
A diabetic patient in DKA is likely to have this acid-base imbalance.
What is metabolic acidosis?
In metabolic acidosis, this respiratory change is expected as compensation.
What is increased respiratory rate (hyperventilation)?
These two electrolytes have an inverse relationship.
What are Calcium and Phosphorous?
This electrolyte imbalance is most likely found in a postoperative patient who is receiving IV fluids and who develops swelling, crackles in the lungs, and a serum sodium level of 124.
What is dilutional hyponatremia?
These two signs are commonly seen in fluid volume deficit due to decreased vascular volume.
What are tachycardia and weak/thready pulse?
A patient with severe vomiting is likely to develop this acid-base disturbance.
What is metabolic alkalosis?
True or False: Compensation corrects the underlying acid-base problem.
What is false? (It attempts to normalize pH but does not correct the root cause.)
These electrolyte imbalances can cause seizures? (May say one of two most common)
What are Hyponatremia and/or hypocalcemia?
A 64-year-old female with a history of metastatic bone cancer reports increasing fatigue, nausea, constipation, and confusion. On exam, she is lethargic but arousable.
Which electrolyte disturbance is the most likely cause of the symptoms?
What is hypercalcemia?
This condition results from excessive IV fluids, renal failure, or heart failure, and may cause jugular vein distension and bounding pulses.
What is fluid volume overload (or excess)?
This is the name of the breathing pattern that compensates for metabolic acidosis.
What is Kussmaul respirations?
A patient with a pH of 7.37, PaCO₂ of 60, and HCO₃ of 34 likely has this condition.
What is fully compensated respiratory acidosis?