Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Nursing Care of Clients with Fluid, Electrolytes, & Acid-Base Imbalances - PNLE/NCLEX Review


 

PHYSIOLOGY REVIEW

Ø  Fluid Compartments

o   Extracellular Fluid

§  1/3 of body water located here

o   Interstitium, lymph, blood, body cavities

§  Divided into: IV, IT, Transcellular spaces

o   Intracellular Fluid

§  40% of body weight of an adult

Ø  Electrolytes

o   Most Prevalent in ECF – Na (Cation), Chloride (Anion)

o   Most Prevalent in ICF – Potassium (Cation), Phosphate (Anion)

Ø  Fluid Regulation

o   Gastrointestinal

o   Renal

§  Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System

o   Adrenocortical

§  Glucocorticoids – anti-inflammatory, inc glucose (Cortisol)

§  Mineralocorticoids – Inc Sodium retention and potassium excretion (Aldosterone)

§  Where Na goes, H2O follows

o   Pituitary

§  Posterior – ADH (reabsorbs water)

§  Factors stimulating ADH:

·        Stress

·        Nausea

·        Nicotine

·        Morphine

o   Hypothalamic

§  Thirst mechanism

o   Insensible Water Loss

§  Vaporization from skin and lungs

§  Increased by accelerated body metabolism

o   Cardiac

§  ANP & BNP – antagonist to RAAS à Natriuresis & Diuresis à Dec BP

§  In response to inc atrial pressure and hypernatrermia

Ø  Mechanisms Controlling Fluid Movement

o   Hydrostatic Pressure - push

o   Oncotic Pressure – pull by proteins

o   Osmotic Pressure – determined by solute concentration

Ø  Causes of fluid shifting

o   Elevation of venous hydrostatic pressure

§  Fluid overload, heart and liver failure, venous insufficiency

o   Decrease in plasma oncotic pressure

§  Renal/liver disease, malnutrition

o   Elevation interstitial oncotic pressure

§  Trauma, burns, inflammation

o   Shift of interstitial fluid to plasma

§  Hypertonic solutions

 

FLUID VOLUME DEFICIT

Ø  Types

o   Isotonic – water loss = electrolytes loss

o   Hypertonic – water loss > electrolytes loss

o   Hypotonic – water loss < electrolytes loss

Ø  Common Manifestations:

o   Thirst

o   Dry mucus membrane

o   Decreased skin turgor and capillary refill

o   Postural hypoBP, Increased PR, Dec CVP

o   Dec UO, concentrated urine

o   Weight loss

Ø  Management:

o   Correct underlying cause

o   Rehydration

o   Prevent further losses and inc fluid compartment volumes

 

FLUID VOLUME EXCESS

Ø  Types:

o   Isotonic

§  Inadequately controlled IVT

§  Kidney disease

§  Long-term steroid therapy

o   Hypertonic

§  Excessive sodium intake

o   Hypotonic

§  Heart failure

§  SIADH

§  Wound irrigation with hypotonic fluids

§  Early kidney disease

§  Uncontrolled IVT

Ø  Common Manifestations:

o   Edema

o   Jugular vein distention

o   Bounding pulse, inc BP and CVP

o   Polyuria

o   Weight gain

o   Dyspnea, crackles, pulmonary edema

Ø  Management:

o   Treat underlying cause

§  Diuretics

§  Sodium restrictions

§  Paracentesis

§  Thoracentesis

SODIUM (135-145 mEq/L)

Ø  Primary cation in ECF

Ø  Eliminated through sweat, urine, and feces

Ø  Controlled by kidneys through aldosterone

Ø  Essential for nerve conduction and muscle contraction

HYPERNATREMIA

Ø  Causes:

o   Excessive sodium intake

o   Inadequate water intake

o   Excessive water loss

o   Disease states

o   DI

o   Primary hyperaldosteronism

o   Cushing syndrome

o   Uncontrolled DM

Ø  Significant Manifestations:

o   Rare except for those with altered thirst mechanism

o   Restlessness, agitation, coma

o   Intense thirst

o   Dry swollen tongue, sticky mucous membrane

o   Lethargy

Ø  Management:

o   Tx underlying cause

o   Diuretics

o   Gradually reduce

o   Sodium dietary restriction

HYPONATREMIA

Ø  Causes:

o   Excessive sodium loss

o   Inadequate sodium intake

o   Excessive water gain

o   Disease states:

§  SIADH

§  Heart Failure

§  Primary hypoaldosteronism

Ø  Significant Manifestations:

o   Irritability, apprehension, confusion, dizziness, coma

o   Dry mucous membranes

o   Signs of dehydration

o   Cold and clammy skin

Ø  Management:

o   Tx underlying cause

o   IV Hypertonic saline

o   Add more sodium in diet

o   Safety precautions – side rails and supervise in ambulation

o   Administer drugs that block ADH activity as ordered

o   Conivaptan (Vaprisol)

o   Tolvaptan (Samsca)

POTASSIUM (3.5-5.0 mEq/L)

Ø  Primary cation in ICF

Ø  Important in neuromuscular and cardiac function

Ø  Kidneys – primary route for elimination

Ø  Inverse relationship with sodium

HYPERKALEMIA

Ø  Causes:

o   Excessive potassium intake

o   Shift of potassium out of cells

o   Acidosis

o   Tissue catabolism – fever, sepsis, burns

o   Crush injury

o   Tumor lysis syndrome

o   Renal failure

o   Potassium sparing diuretics

o   Adrenal insufficiency

o   ACE inhibitors

Ø  Manifestations:

o   Irritability

o   Abdominal cramping, diarrhea

o   Irregular pulse

o   Paresthesias

o   Cardiac arrest if sudden or severe

o   ECG changes:

§  Widened QRS complex

§  Wide, flat P wave

§  Prolonged PR interval

§  Tall, peaked T wave

Ø  Management:

o   Restrict K intake

o   Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (Kayexalate)

o   Assess bowel sounds and bowel movements

o   Increase fluid intake

o   IV insulin with glucose to shift potassium from ECF to ICF

o   Sodium bicarbonate to correct acidosis

o   Calcium gluconate – for symptom management

HYPOKALEMIA

Ø  Causes:

o   Potassium loss

o   Shift into cells

o   Increased insulin

o   Alkalosis

o   Tissue repair

o   Lack of intake

Ø  Manifestations:

o   Fatigue

o   Muscle weakness, leg cramps

o   Soft, flabby muscles

o   Paralytic ileus

o   Paresthesias, decreased reflexes

o   Weak, irregular pulse

o   Polyuria

o   Hyperglycemia

o   ECG Changes:

§  Prolonged U wave

§  T wave inversion

Ø  Management:

o   Potassium supplements and increase dietary intake

§  Ex: Apricot, banana, cantaloupe, prunes, peaches, potatoes, tomatoes

o   Potassium Chloride

§  Always dilute, never IV push

§  Invert bag many times to ensure even distribution

§  Should not exceed 10-20 mEq/hr and use infusion pump

CALCIUM (8.5-10.5 mg/dL)

Ø  For transmission of nerve impulses

Ø  Blood clotting

Ø  Tooth and bone formation

Ø  Muscle and myocardial contractions

Ø  Present in 3 forms:

o   Free or ionized – active

o   Bound to albumin

o   Complexed with phosphate, citrate, carbonate

HYPERCALCEMIA

Ø  Causes:

o   Increased total calcium levels

o   Multiple myeloma

o   Bone metastasis

o   Prolonged immobilization

o   Hyperparathyroidism

o   Vitamin D overdose

o   Thiazides

o   Increased ionized calcium

o   Acidosis

Ø  Manifestations:

o   Lethargy, weakness

o   Depressed reflexes

o   Bone pain, fractures

o   Nephrolithiasis

o   ECG Changes:

§  Shortened QT interval

§  Shortened ST segment

Ø  Management:

o   Loop diuretics – Furosemide (Lasix)

o   Hydration with isotonic saline infusion

o   Increase OFI to 3-4 L per day

o   Diet low in calcium

o   Mobilization with weight bearing

o   Administer as ordered:

§  Plicamycin (Mithracin)

§  Pamidronate (Aredia) – for metastasis

HYPOCALCEMIA

Ø  Causes:

o   Decreased total calcium

§  CKD

§  Hyperphosphatemia

§  Primary hyperparathyroidism

§  Vit D deficiency

§  Acute pancreatitis

§  Loop diuretics

§  Chronic alcoholism

§  Diarrhea

§  Decreased serum albumin

o   Decreased ionized calcium

§  Alkalosis

§  Citrated blood administration

Ø  Manifestations:

o   Easy fatigability

o   Hyperreflexia

o   Laryngeal spasm

o   Tetany, seizures

o   Chvostek’s Sign - face

o   Trousseau’s Sign – arms

o   ECG:

§  ST segment elongation

§  Prolonged QT interval

§  Ventricular tachycardia

Ø  Management:

o   Tx underlying cause

o   Do not give via IM – burning, necrosis

o   Diet high in calcium

§  Milk

§  Broccoli, kale, mustard greens

§  Small fish with bones – sardines

§  Legumes

§  Tofu

PHOSPHATE (2.5-4.5 mg/dL)

Ø  Primary anion in ICF

Ø  Essential for muscle function , RBCs, nervous system

Ø  Kidneys – major route of excretion

Ø  Inverse with Calcium

HYPERPHOSPHATEMIA

Ø  Causes:

o   Renal failure

o   Chemo agents

o   Enemas containing phosphate

o   Excessive ingestion

o   Large vitamin D intake

o   Hypoparathyroidism

Ø  Manifestations:

o   Similar with hypocalcemia

o   Muscle problems, tetany

o   Deposition of calcium-phosphate precipitates

Ø  Management:

o   Tx underlying cause

o   Adequate hydration

o   Calcium supplements

o   Phosphate binding agents

o   Dietary phosphate restrictions

 

HYPOPHOSPHATEMIA

Ø  Causes:

o   Malabsorption syndrome

o   Starvation tx reversal

o   Recovery from DKA

o   Alcohol withdrawal

o   Phosphate binding antacids

o   Respiratory alkalosis

Ø  Manifestations

o   Impaired cellular energy and oxygen delivery

o   Muscle weakness

o   Cardiac problems

o   Osteomalacia

o   Rhabdomyolysis

Ø  Management

o   Food sources

§  Protein rich foods such as dairy, eggs, meat, fish, poultry

§  Cereal grains

§  Processed convenience foods and soft drinks

MAGNESIUM (1.8-3.0 mg/dL)

Ø  Involved in metabolism of cellular nucleic acids and CHON

Ø  Regulated by GI absorption

Ø  Excreted via kidneys

Ø  Assessed together with calcium and potassium

Ø  Affects neuromuscular excitability

HYPERMAGNESEMIA

Ø  Causes:

o   Renal failure

o   Excessive administration

o   Adrenal insufficiency

Ø  Manifestations:

o   Lethargy, drowsiness

o   DTR lost, respiratory and cardiac arrest

Ø  Management:

o   Calcium chloride, calcium gluconate to oppose effects of Mg on cardiac muscles

o   Promote excretion by increasing OFI

o   Dialysis

HYPOMAGNESEMIA

Ø  Causes:

o   Diarrhea and vomiting

o   Chronic alcoholism

o   Impaired GI absorption

o   Prolonged malnutrition

o   Polyuria

o   Hyperaldosteronism

Ø  Manifestations:

o   Hyperactive DTR

o   Resembles hypocalcemia

§  Inhibition of calcium transport into cell and release inhibited from sarcoplasmic reticulum

o   Associated with hypokalemia – intracellular Mg is critical to normal fx of Na-K pump

Ø  Management

o   Dietary intake

§  Green vegetables, nuts, bananas, oranges, peanut butter

o   Magnesium sulfate

§  Too rapid = arrest

 

CHLORIDE (98-107 mEq/L)

Ø  Major extracellular anion

Ø  Follows sodium

Ø  Maintains acid-base balance by exchanging with bicarbonate

HYPERCHLOREMIA

Ø  Causes:

o   Excessive NaCl infusion with water loss

o   Head injury

o   Hypernatremia

o   Renal failure

o   Medications: Corticosteroids, diuretics

o   Alkalosis

Ø  Manifestations:

o   Tachypnea, dyspnea, tachycardia

o   Lethargy, weakness

o   Decline in cognitive status

o   Deep rapid respiration

Ø  Management:

o   Tx underlying cause

o   Hypotonic IV

o   LRS – convert lactate to bicarbonate

o   IV Sodium bicarbonate – renal excretion of chloride ions

o   Restrict Na, Cl, and fluids

HYPOCHLOREMIA

Ø  Causes:

o   Addison’s disease

o   Reduced intake

o   Untreated DKA

o   Chronic respiratory acidosis

o   Metabolic alkalosis

o   Excessive sweating, vomiting, gastric suction, diarrhea

o   Diuretics – loop, osmotic, thiazide

o   Cystic fibrosis

o   Draining fistulas and ileostomies

o   Heart failure

Ø  Manifestations

o   Agitation, irritability, tremors

o   Muscle cramps, hyperactive DTR, hypertonicity, tetany

o   Slow, shallow respirations

Ø  Management

o   Tx underlying cause

o   PNSS or 0.45% NaCl

ARTERIAL BLOOD GAS ANALYSIS

Ø  Normal Values

o   pH = 7.35 – 7.45

o   PaO2 = 80 to 100 mmHg

o   PaCO2 = 35 to 45 mmHg.

o   HCO3 = 22 to 26 mEq/L

Ø  Specimen Collection

o   Assess factors that may affect the accuracy of the results such as changes in the oxygen settings, suctioning within the past 20 minutes, and the client’s activities

o   Perform the Allen’s test to determine the presence of collateral circulation

§  Explain the procedure the client

§  Apply pressure over the ulnar and radial arteries simultaneously

§  Ask the client to open and close the hand repeatedly

§  Release pressure from the ulnar artery while compressing the radial artery

§  Assess the color of the extremity distal to the pressure point

§  Document the findings

Ø  Analyzing ABG Results

o   STEP 1: 

§  If the pH is elevated, it reflects alkalosis, otherwise, acidosis

o   STEP 2: 

§  Look at the Pco2

§  Elevated or decreased?

§  Opposite relationship to pH ? If yes, then respiratory imbalance

o   STEP 3: 

§  Look at the HCO3

§  Elevated or decreased?

§  Corresponding relationship to pH ? If yes, then metabolic imbalance

o   STEP 4: 

§  Full compensation has occurred if the pH is in a normal range of 7.35 to 7.45

§  If not within normal range, look at the respiratory or metabolic function indicators

§  If the condition is a respiratory imbalance, look at the HCO3 to determine state of compensation

§  If the condition is a metabolic imbalance, look at the PCO2 to determine the state of compensation

RESPIRATORY ACIDOSIS

Ø  Cause:

o   Carbon dioxide retention from hypoventilation

o   Compensation to bicarbonate retention by the kidneys

Ø  Manifestations:

o   Drowsiness, disorientation, headache

o   Hyperkalemia cardiac s/sx

o   Seizures

o   Hypoventilation with hypoxia

Ø  Management:

o   Monitor oxygenation status

o   Administer oxygen as prescribed

o   Place the client in a semi-fowler’s position

o   Encourage and assist in DBCTE

o   Encourage hydration to thin secretions

o   Reduce restlessness by improving ventilation

o   AVOID administering tranquilizers, sedatives or opioids à respiratory depression

o   Monitor potassium level

RESPIRATORY ALKALOSIS

Ø  Cause:

o   Increased CO2 excretion from hyperventilation

o   Fever, pain

o   Overventilation by MV

o   Compensation to bicarbonate excretion by kidneys

Ø  Manifestations:

o   Lethargy, lightheadedness

o   Cardiac s/sx rt to hypokalemia

o   Tetany, numbness, tingling

o   Hyperventilation

Ø  Management:

o   WOF respiratory distress

o   Emotional support to the client

o   Provide cautious care with ventilator clients so that they are not forced to take breaths too deeply or rapidly

o   Monitor potassium and calcium

o   Calcium gluconate as ordered for tetany

o   Assist with breathing techniques and breathing aids

o   Encourage voluntary holding of breath if appropriate

o   Provide use of a rebreathing mask as prescribed

o   Provide carbon dioxide breaths as prescribed (Rebreathing into a paper bag)

METABOLIC ACIDOSIS

Ø  Causes:

o   Inability to excrete acid or loss of base

o   Compensation to CO2 excretion by the lungs

o   Disease states:

§  DM, DKA

§  Aspirin overdose

§  High fat diet

§  Malnutrition

§  Severe diarrhea

§  Renal insufficiency

Ø  Manifestations:

o   Drowsiness, confusion, headache, coma

o   Deep, rapid respirations

Ø  Management:

o   WOF respiratory distress

o   Assess LOC

o   Monitor I&O

o   Prepare to administer IV solutions to increase buffer base

o   Monitor potassium closely

o   As it resolves, K moves back into cells à hypokalemia

 

METABOLIC ALKALOSIS

Ø  Causes:

o   Loss of strong acid or gain of base

o   Compensatory response of CO2 retention by lungs

o   Diuretics

o   Excessive vomiting or GI suctioning

o   Hyperaldosteronism

o   Ingestion or infusion of excessive sodium bicarbonate

o   Massive transfusion of whole blood

Ø  Manifestations:

o   Drowsiness, dizziness

o   Hypoventilation (compensation)

o   Nausea and vomiting

o   Tremors, hypertonic muscles, cramps, tetany, tingling

o   Cardiac s/sx rt to hypokalemia

Ø  Management:

o   WOF respiratory distress

o   Monitor potassium and calcium

o   Institute safety precautions

o   Prepare to administer medications and IV fluids as prescribed to promote kidney excretion of bicarbonate

o   Potassium as prescribed

o   Treat the underlying cause



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