![]() Hyperkalemia is when the potassium level is greater than 5.0 mEq/L, and can be life-threatening. Potassium also plays a role in the conduction of nerve impulses and skeletal muscle activity. The basic function of potassium is intracellular excitation, which means it is crucial to heart function, and can cause arrhythmias if the levels are too high or too low. Therefore, since the serum electrolyte value is a measurement of the amount of potassium in the ECF, very small variances in the potassium level make a big difference in the patient. Potassium is also a major intracellular cation in the body. You would need to assess the DTR’s during magnesium administration, because if the magnesium level gets too high, the DTR’s will become faint and diminish, which is a precursor to respiratory depression and cardiac arrest. You often see magnesium given in preterm labor or preeclampsia to relax the contractions or decrease the blood pressure. On the other hand, if magnesium is low (called hypomagnesemia), below 1.5, the effect is opposite-muscles are excited, there’s neuromuscular irritability, tremors, increased DTRs, tachycardia, confusion, and seizures. So if you have a lot of magnesium, over 2.5 (called hypermagnesemia), then the muscles are too relaxed, causing muscle weakness, vasodilation, hypotension, decreased DTR (deep tendon reflexes), respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest. The basic function of magnesium is muscle relaxation. Magnesium is a major intracellular cation (meaning that magnesium is mostly inside the cell and just a small amount in the ECF). Let’s look at each one in bold individually, focusing on their basic function in the body, along with the signs and symptoms you will see. This list is in order from smallest to largest, showing that the smallest quantity of electrolyte in the ECF is magnesium, compared to sodium, which has the largest amount. Also, these are guidelines, and each lab may have a slight variation, but will also provide reference values with the test result. So let’s start by looking at the reference values you need to memorize-remember that these lab values are a measurement of what is in the ECF (extracellular fluid), it doesn’t measure the total body fluid. It’s important to know the normal ranges of the major electrolytes, their basic functions, and the signs and symptoms of imbalances. The body’s electrolytes are regulated by the endocrine system, the vascular system, the gastrointestinal system, and the kidneys. Electrolytes can also be affected by medications, hyperalimentation, blood administration, and IV fluids.įluid and electrolyte imbalances can occur due to various causes, such as nausea/vomiting, dehydration, surgery, trauma, burn injuries, bleeding, and liver or kidney problems. Most of these electrolytes come from our food and fluid intake. The anions (negatively charged ions) are chloride, bicarbonate, sulfate, and phosphate. The most prominent cations (positively charged ions) are hydrogen, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These electrically charged ions move fluids within the body, produce energy, contract muscles, and perform many other roles in the body. Exact concentrations of electrolytes are vital to body pH and overall homeostasis. ElectrolytesĮlectrolytes are ions that carry either a positive or negative charge. The major extracellular electrolytes are sodium and chloride. The major intracellular electrolytes are potassium and magnesium. The concentration of electrolytes depends on the fluid volume and the body’s ability to regulate the fluid and solvents. Cells maintain a balance by the transferring of fluid and electrolytes in and out of the cell. ![]() All body fluid compartments contain fluids and electrolytes. Intracellular and Extracellular Fluidīody fluid is further broken down into \(\frac\) extracellular fluid (fluid outside the cell). Water has many important functions, including maintenance of blood volume cellular transport of vital substances, such as oxygen and glucose transport of waste products to the lungs and kidneys for removal lubrication and cushioning breakdown of food in the digestive system a medium for chemical reactions in cells and maintenance of body temperature. The body is largely made up of water, or fluids, in fact, it is approximately 50-60% of the body’s weight. In this video, we will look at how fluid and electrolyte disturbances occur, the simplified function of the electrolyte, normal values, signs and symptoms, and basic treatment. Welcome to this video tutorial on fluid and electrolyte balance!įluid and electrolyte balance is essential to the process of life, and abnormal concentrations can be life-threatening.
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