Electrolytes complete

• Electrolytes


  Some are inversely proportional (opposite relationship), some are directly proportional (same relationship)
• Body Fluid Compartments


  • Intracellular fluid compartment (ICF)
  • Extracellular fluid compartment (ECF)
• Extracellular Fluid Compartment (ECF)


  • Interstitial fluid
  • Intravascular fluid or plasma
  • Transcellular fluid
• Infants have 80% of their body as water
• Males have 60% of their body weight as water, making them more masculine than females
• Females have 50% of their body weight as water
• Functions of water in ECF

  • Maintains blood volume
  • Transports gases, nutrients and other substances to the cells
• Functions of water in ICF

  • Promotes cellular chemical function
  • Maintains normal body temperature
  • Eliminates waste products from the cells
• Functions of Electrolytes


  • Promote neuromuscular irritability
  • Maintain body fluid volume and osmolality (concentration)
  • Distribute body water between fluid compartments
  • Regulate acid base balance
• Examples of electrolytes


  • sodium, potassium, magnesium
• Normal values for electrolytes vary from hospital to hospital
• Normal Values for Electrolytes


  • Sodium (Na): 135 - 145 mEq/L
  • Potassium (K): 3.5 - 5 mEq/L
  • Calcium (Ca): 4.5 - 5.5 mEq/L
  • Phosphate (HPO4): 1.7 - 2.6 mEq/L
  • Chloride (Cl): 98-108 mEq/L
  • Magnesium (Mg): 1.5 - 2.5 mEq/L
• Sodium and water regulation

  1. Thirst (major control of fluid intake)

  2. Kidneys (major organs controlling output)

  3. ADH (anti diuretic hormone)

  4. RAAS (renin angiotensin aldosterone system)
• Potassium Regulation


  • Aldosterone and hydrogen ions regulate potassium levels
  • Aldosterone retains sodium and excretes potassium
  • Alkalosis increases K excretion (hypokalemia)
  • Alkalosis decreases K excretion (hyperkalemia)
• Sodium and potassium


  Have an inverse relationship (opposite)
• Potassium is the major cation in the ICF
• Functions of Potassium


  • Necessary in the conduction of nerve impulses
  • Promotion of skeletal and muscle activity
• Calcium Regulation


  1. Parathormone (parathyroid hormone), thyrocalcitonin and Vit D regulate calcium levels

  2. Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption from GIT

  3. Parathormone elevates serum calcium levels by withdrawing calcium from bones

  4. Thyrocalcitonin lowers serum Calcium by depositing calcium in the bones
• Calcium and phosphorus


  Have an inverse relationship
• Passive Transport


  • Diffusion - transport of solutes from area of higher conc to lower conc across semi permeable membrane
  • Osmosis - transport of solvent from area of lower conc to higher conc across the semi permeable membrane
• Active Transport


  • Hydrostatic pressure - caused by the blood pressing against the walls of BV (pushing force)
  • Colloid Osmotic pressure (oncotic pressure) - pressure needed to overcome the pull protein (CHON). Pull / absorb fluid from the Interstitial space
• Types of Solutions


  • Hypertonic Solution (Shriveled / shrinkage cells)
  • Isotonic Solution (normal cells)
  • Hypotonic Solution (Cells swell and burst)
• Potassium is in


  Potassium is the abundant electrolyte found inside the cell
• Sodium is out


  Sodium is found outside the cell
• Sodium Imbalances


  • Hyponatremia - sodium deficit
  • Hypernatremia - sodium excess / edema
• Hyponatremia


  Caused by sodium loss or water excess, results in increased ICF volume and cell swelling
• Hypernatremia


  Caused by sodium and water excess, results in decreased ICF volume and cell shrinkage
• Potassium Imbalances


  • Hypokalemia - Potassium Deficit
  • Hyperkalemia - Potassium excess
• Hypokalemia


  Decreased neuromuscular irritability, everything is low and slow
• Hyperkalemia


  Increased neuromuscular activity, everything is high and fast
• Calcium Imbalances


  • Hypocalcemia
  • Hypercalcemia
• Hypocalcemia


  Increased cell membrane permeability, results in increased neuromuscular irritability, everything is high and fast
• Hypercalcemia


  Decreased cell membrane permeability, results in decreased neuromuscular irritability, everything is low and slow
• Magnesium Imbalances


  • Hypomagnesemia
  • Hypermagnesemia
• Hypomagnesemia


  Low level of magnesium in the blood, results in increased neuromuscular irritability, everything is high and fast
• Hypermagnesemia


  Decreased acetylcholine release, results in decreased neuromuscular irritability, everything is low and slow
• If pH is 7 and below or 7.8 above = DEATH
• pH and pCO2 are affected = respiratory acid base imbalances will result
• pH & HCO3 are affected = metabolic acid base imbalances will be experienced
• Respiratory Acidosis


  Caused by failure of respiratory system to remove carbon dioxide from the body fluid as it is produced in the tissues