Patho-Electrolytes

Which statement is true about the sodium-potassium pump?


It is a passive process.

It increases the loss of water from the body.

It causes hyperkalemia, as it pulls potassium out of the intracellular fluid.

It maintains the equilibrium between the intracellular and extracellular fluid.
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Which statement is true about the sodium-potassium pump?


It is a passive process.

It increases the loss of water from the body.

It causes hyperkalemia, as it pulls potassium out of the intracellular fluid.

It maintains the equilibrium between the intracellular and extracellular fluid.
D
As sodium enters the ICF, potassium moves out of the cell. The active transport system pushes sodium back out of the cell, which then pushes potassium back into the cell - maintaining the balance of electrical charges.
Which statement reflects the relationship of magnesium to other electrolytes?


Serum levels of magnesium are related to serum levels of sodium and chloride.

Serum levels of magnesium are related to serum levels of calcium and chloride.

Serum levels of magnesium are related to serum levels of potassium and calcium.

Serum levels of magnesium are related to serum levels of potassium and sodium.
C
Serum levels of magnesium are very closely related to serum levels of potassium and calcium. As potassium and calcium levels increase or decrease, magnesium levels do the same
A person presents with severe burns. The ECG shows extreme dysrhythmias. Which electrolyte imbalance could be a cause of the rhythm disturbance?


Hyperkalemia

Hypernatremia

Hyperchloremia

Hypermagnesemia
Hyperkalemia

In burns, potassium leaves the ICF and enters the ECF where elevated levels can cause muscle weakness and fatal cardiac dysrhythmias.
A person presents in end stage renal disease, complaining of being extremely tired and weak. Which electrolyte imbalance could be a cause of the weakness?


Hypocalcemia

Hyperchloremia

Hypomagnesemia

Hypermagnesemia
Hypermagnesemia

Hypermagnesemia is associated with renal failure and results in the depression of neuromuscular function (decreased reflexes, lethargy) and cardiac muscle function.
Which cations are the primary electrolytes in the extracellular fluid?


Sodium and calcium

Sodium and chloride

Calcium and chloride

Potassium and magnesium
Sodium and calcium
Sodium and calcium are the two primary cations found in the extracellular fluid.
A person presents with the chief complaint of nausea and vomiting for the past three days. Which serum electrolyte would be most affected?
Sodium
Sodium is the primary extracellular cation and is frequently lost with vomiting. This can lead to hyponatremia.

Chloride
Chloride is an extracellular anion, electrically attracted to sodium, and lost with vomiting.

Potassium
Potassium is an intracellular cation that is frequently lost with vomiting.
Which statement accurately describes the effects of hypocalcemia?
Cramping, muscle twitching, and dysrhythmias
Cramping, muscle twitching, and dysrhythmias are all the result of calcium loss. Skeletal nerves become excitable leading to the cramping and twitching, while cardiac muscles are depressed, resulting in dysrhythmias.
A person presents with extreme sweating and a feeling of weakness which developed while working a construction job. Which serum electrolyte would be seriously impacted?
Chloride
Extreme sweating leads to the loss of water, which is followed by a loss of sodium. Chloride has an affinity to sodium due to their opposite electrical charge; therefore, chloride would be lost in the sweat as well.
Which statement describes the most serious consequence of hypocalcemia?
Cardiac dysrhythmias
Hypocalcemia leads to a weakening of cardiac muscles leading to a decreased contractility and potentially fatal dysrhythmias.
Which extracellular ion can impact water balance in the body?
Sodium
Sodium in an extracellular cation and impacts water balance, as water tends to follow sodium
An individual arrives for an annual physical, and the lab work shows the chloride level is high. Which additional electrolyte would you expect to be high?Sodium Sodium and chloride have an affinity for one another due to their opposite electrical charges. If the chloride level is high, the sodium level will be high.Which statements reflect the role of magnesium?Necessary for the synthesis of proteins and DNA Magnesium is necessary for the synthesis of proteins and DNA, as well as a variety of other enzymatic reactions. Correct Needed for muscle contraction and nerve transmission Magnesium is the second most common cation in the intracellular fluid (ICF) and is needed for muscle contraction and nerve transmission. Correct Important to a variety of enzymatic reactions within the body Magnesium is an intracellular ion (positively charged) that is important to enzymatic reactions in the body.Which electrolyte is required for the storage of glycogen in the liver?Potassium Potassium is the primary intracellular ion and is necessary for the storage of glycogen and glucose in the liver. IncorrectAn individual presents in diabetic ketoacidosis. Knowing that acidosis influences electrolyte functioning, which laboratory value would be expected?High potassium In acidosis, hydrogen ions diffuse from the blood into the cell. As they enter the ICF, potassium is displaced into the ECF to maintain electrical neutrality, resulting in higher potassium levels.Which statement describes a cause of hyperkalemia?Abnormal ECG Hyperkalemia often presents with cardiac dysrhythmias, which can be fatal if the potassium levels are not corrected. History of renal failure Patients with a history of renal failure are at risk for hyperkalemia, as the body retains potassium with renal disease. Clinical complaint of weakness Hyperkalemia causes decreased neuromuscular activity leading to muscle weakness.An individual presents in the clinic with repetitive movements in the hands. Which statement is the probable cause of the repetitive movements?Chorea Chorea is defined as involuntary, repetitive movements and is often seen in hypomagnesemia.Which statements found in a person's medical record would lead the practitioner to consider the likelihood of hypokalemia?Laxative abuse With diarrhea, fluid and electrolyte losses can be excessive, with several liters of fluid (100 to 200 mEq of potassium) lost per day. The loss of fluid and sodium stimulates the secretion of aldosterone, which in turn causes renal losses of potassium thus causing hypokalemia. Correct Loop diuretic therapy Diuretic therapy causes the excretion of potassium, particularly if potassium-sparing diuretics are not used.