Electrolyte Imbalance Quiz

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the typical range of serum potassium for a healthy individual?

22-32 mEq/L

1.8-2.4 mg/dL

8.9-10.2 mg/L

3.7-5.2 mEq/L (correct)

Which of the following electrolytes is primarily found in the intracellular fluid (ICF)?

Calcium (Ca2+)

Sodium (Na+)

Potassium (K+) (correct)

Chloride (Cl-)

What is the term used to describe an abnormal increase in the concentration of calcium in the blood?

Hypokalemia

Hyperkalemia

Hypocalcemia

Hypercalcemia (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a common route of electrolyte losses from the body?

Ingestion Signup and view all the answers

Which analytical technique utilizes a flame to measure electrolyte concentrations?

Flame Spectrophotometry Signup and view all the answers

What is the reference range (in serum) for bicarbonate in healthy individuals?

22-32 mEq/L Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following electrolytes is directly involved in the regulation of water balance within the body?

Sodium Signup and view all the answers

How do changes in electrolyte concentration affect the body? (Select all that apply)

Alterations in nerve impulses Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of sodium in the body?

Maintaining fluid balance and nerve impulse transmission Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is NOT a possible cause of hypernatremia?

Excessive renal loss of salt Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential symptom of hypokalemia?

Muscle weakness Signup and view all the answers

Which hormone is primarily responsible for regulating calcium homeostasis?

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the selective electrode (ISE) in measuring electrolytes?

To measure the concentration of a specific ion Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions can lead to both hypokalemia and hyperkalemia?

Diuretic therapy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of potassium in the body?

Maintaining bone density Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Na+/K+ ATPase pump in maintaining electrolyte balance?

Transports sodium and potassium across cell membranes against their concentration gradient Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a possible cause of hyponatremia?

Excessive water intake Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions can be caused by hypocalcemia?

Hypoparathyroidism Signup and view all the answers

What is a key function of magnesium in the body?

Calcium and bone homeostasis Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is most likely to cause hypermagnesemia?

Increased intake of magnesium Signup and view all the answers

What is the main regulatory organ for bicarbonate in the body?

Kidneys Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a symptom of renal failure?

Lethargy Signup and view all the answers

What is the major cation found in intracellular fluid (ICF)?

Potassium Signup and view all the answers

What causes hypochloremia?

Prolonged vomiting Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the distribution of plasma water in body fluids?

20% of extracellular fluid Signup and view all the answers

Which electrolytic disorder is associated with metabolic alkalosis?

Hypochloremia Signup and view all the answers

How much of the body weight in adult males is typically comprised of water?

55 - 60% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for increased urine volume (polyuria) in renal failure?

Decreased renal filtration Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of sodium in the extracellular fluid (ECF)?

Osmotic balance of ECF space Signup and view all the answers

Which diagnostic test would be used to assess kidney function directly?

Creatinine clearance Signup and view all the answers

What are pathological losses of water primarily due to?

Vascular bleeding and vomiting Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following compartments contains the majority of body fluid?

Intracellular fluid Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of total body weight does water constitute in adult females?

50 - 55% Signup and view all the answers

How many liters of fluid are estimated for a 70 kg woman?

38 L Signup and view all the answers

What is hydrostatic pressure in the context of body fluids?

The back pressure exerted by water against a membrane Signup and view all the answers

How is osmolality measured in the body?

In osmoles per kilogram of water Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal range of serum osmolality in the body?

280 - 290 mOsm kg-1 Signup and view all the answers

Which formula correctly calculates the anion gap?

[Na+] + [K+] - ([Cl-] + [HCO3-]) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can lead to fluid loss in the body?

Diarrhea Signup and view all the answers

What is the clinical significance of an increased anion gap?

It suggests elevated levels of unmeasured anions Signup and view all the answers

Which electrolyte is crucial for conduction of nerve impulses?

Potassium Signup and view all the answers

What does a normal anion gap range indicate?

A balance of measured anions and cations Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Electrolyte Overview

Electrolytes are reviewed, an introduction provided, and the kidneys' role in water and electrolyte balance is discussed.
Water intake and loss are equal in a steady state.
Daily water intake = 2.2 L, with metabolic production adding 0.3 L
Daily water loss = 0.9 L (skin), 1.5 L (urine), 0.1 L (feces), and 0.9 L (lungs).
Pathological losses include vascular bleeding (H₂O, Na+), vomiting (H₂O, H+), and diarrhoea (H₂O, HCO₃⁻).

Body Fluids and Fluid Compartments

Body fluid percentages vary : 55-60% of body weight for adult males, and 50-55% for females (with 5% extra adipose tissue)
A 70 kg male has approximately 42 L of body fluid, and a 70 kg female has approximately 38 L.
Body fluids are divided into:
- Intracellular fluid (ICF): inside cells, with potassium (K+) as the major cation and phosphate (PO₄⁻) as the major anion.
- Extracellular fluid (ECF): outside cells, includes interstitial fluid (between cells), plasma (in circulatory system), and transcellular fluid (epithelial spaces). ECF primarily utilizes sodium (Na+) as the major cation and chloride (Cl⁻) as the major anion.
ICF averages approximately 28 L in a 70kg man.
ECF averages approximately 14 L in a 70kg man.
Exchange between compartments happens via hydrostatic pressure (pressure exerted against the membrane) and osmotic pressure (pressure exerted when water moves through a semi-permeable membrane due to different concentration on either side).

Osmolality

Osmolality measures dissolved particles in body water (osmoles).
Dissolved particles exert osmotic pressure.
Water moves from low to high osmolality.
Osmolarity is the number of osmoles per kilogram of water.
Normal body fluid osmolality is approximately 280 - 290 mOsm/kg.

Osmolality Calculation

Osmolality is calculated as: [sodium x 2] + urea + glucose.

Anion Gap

Anion gap = ([Na+] + [K+]) - ([Cl⁻] + [HCO₃⁻]).
Normal range = 6-18 mmol/L.
Increased anion gap indicates increased unmeasured anions (e.g., lactate, acetoacetate, β-hydroxybutyrate).

Fluid Imbalance

Fluid loss can occur through gastrointestinal (GI) tract (diarrhea, vomiting), kidneys (diuresis), blood vessels (hemorrhage), and the skin (burns, sweating).
Fluid gain can occur with heart, liver, or kidney failure.

Electrolyte Functions

Electrolytes regulate volume, osmotic pressure, acid-base balance, enzyme function, nerve impulse transmission, and cardiac function.

Electrolytes Measured in Clinical Labs

Common electrolytes include sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl-), bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻), magnesium (Mg²⁺), and calcium (Ca²⁺).

Electrolyte Losses

Renal excretion, stool losses, sweating, abnormal routes (e.g., vomit, diarrhea).

Measuring Electrolytes

Flame spectrophotometry (measures characteristic colors produced by metal ions)
Ion-selective electrodes (ISE) allow for specific ion measurement and external reference electrode.
Colorimetric methods can also be used.

Sodium Function and Regulation

Sodium (Na+) regulates plasma osmolality, water balance, nerve impulses, and muscle contraction.
Sodium's regulation features include thirst, kidney function (Na+/K+ and Na+/H+ pumps), antidiuretic hormone (ADH), renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (regulates blood volume), and aldosterone.

Sodium Deficiency (Hyponatremia)

Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, weakness, mental confusion, headache, lethargy, possible coma, and hypotension.
Causes: excessive water intake, renal loss of salt, excessive ADH secretion, water overload, congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, and renal disease.

Sodium Excess (Hypernatremia)

Symptoms: dehydration, increased thirst, fever, tremors, altered mental status, lethargy, seizures, coma, and hypertension.
Causes: extrarenal loss, renal losses, impaired ADH response, excessive water loss, and hyperaldosteronism.

Potassium Function and Regulation

Potassium (K+) regulates cardiac contraction, nerve impulses, muscle contractions, and acid-base balance.
Potassium's regulation includes kidney function (Na+/K+ pumps and Acid/Base), aldosterone.

Potassium Deficiency (Hypokalemia)

Symptoms: weakness, fatigue, anorexia, nausea, arrhythmias, and possible cardiac arrest.
Causes: extrarenal shifts and renal losses.

Potassium Excess (Hyperkalemia)

Symptoms: muscular weakness, tingling, numbness, confusion, cardiac arrhythmias, and possible cardiac arrest.
Causes: intra to extracellular shifts and renal failure.

Calcium Function and Regulation

Calcium (Ca²⁺) regulates bone health, muscle contraction, nerve transmission, membrane transport, and blood coagulation.
Calcium's regulation involves the kidneys (reabsorption), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and vitamin D.
Disorders include hypocalcemia (hypoparathyroidism, malabsorption, renal failure) and hypercalcemia (hyperparathyroidism, excess vitamin D, tumors).

Magnesium Function and Regulation

Magnesium (Mg²⁺) is an enzyme cofactor, and helps with Calcium and bone homeostasis.
Regulation involves the kidney, PTH, serum Mg²⁺, and aldosterone.
Disorders include hypomagnesemia (decreased intake, malabsorption, increased loss, renal disease etc.) and hypermagnesemia (usually increased intake, or renal disease).

Chloride Function and Regulation

Chloride (Cl⁻) maintains osmolality, blood volume, and electric neutrality.
Regulation involves kidneys (reabsorption with Na+ ) and aldosterone.
Disorders include hypochloremia (similar to hyponatremia, prolonged vomiting, high [bicarbonate] associated with metabolic alkalosis) and hyperchloremia (similar to hypernatremia, dehydration, and prolonged diarrhea or metabolic acidosis).

Bicarbonate Function and Regulation

Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) determines pH (along with H⁺), buffers the blood, and maintains acid-base equilibrium.
Bicarbonate's regulation involves the kidneys (reabsorption) and lungs.
Disorders include acid-base imbalances.

Renal Failure Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms include uraemia (nausea, vomiting, lethargy), urinary disorders (frequency, nocturia, retention), urine volume disorders (polyuria, oliguria, anuria), and urine composition disorders (hematuria, proteinuria), and edema (salt and water retention).

Diagnostic Tests

Urinalysis, urine osmolality, spot urine for Na+ and K+, serum osmolality, creatinine, creatinine clearance, and serum electrolytes are used for diagnosis.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on electrolytes and their functions in the human body. This quiz will cover typical serum ranges, the roles of different electrolytes, and their impact on health. Ideal for students in health sciences or anyone interested in understanding electrolyte balance.