NUR 355 Exam 4 Questions and Answers| New Update with 100% Correct Answers
Sodium Normal Range 135-145 mEq/L
Sodium main function Helps Maintain blood volume & blood pressure
*Memory trick- (S)odium (S)wells, sodium causes the body to retain water. Sodium imbalance
can lead to neuro changes
*Sodium = Brain*
Hypernatremia high levels of sodium in the blood (>145)
Hyponatremia low levels of sodium in the blood (<135)
Signs of Hypernatremia *FRIED SALT*
Flushed skin
Restless (anxious,confused, irritable)
Increased BP & Fluid retention
Edema (pitting)
Decreased urine output
Skin is dried
Agitation
Low grade fever
Thirst
Signs of hyponatremia *SALT LOSS*
Stupor/coma
Anorexia
Lethargy
,Tachycardia
Limp muscles (muscle weakness)
Orthostatuc hypotension
Seizures/headaches
Stomach cramping
Risk factors for hypernatremia Increased sodium intake, loss of fluids
Decrease water = increase sodium
Risk factors for hyponatremia Loss of sodium from the 5D's
- Diaphoresis
-Diarrhea & vomiting
-Drains (NGT suction)
-Diuretics
-siaDh (Dilution)
Treatment for hypernatrmia -Restrict sodium intake
- Adm. IV fluids if due to fluid loss (Isotonic or hypotonic solutions)
Treatments for hyponatrmia TREAT UNDERLYING CAUSES!
-Adm. IV fluids (Hypertonic solutions- contain high amounts of salt)
- place patient on seizure precaution
- Fluid restriction (They are in fluid volume overload)
- NPO (Never give food to a patient who is lethargic, confused, or in a comatose state, they are
at risk for aspiration)
, Potassium Normal range 3.5-5.0 mEq/L (*Memory trick* BANANAS- theres about 3-5 in
every bundle and you want them half ripe!)
Potassium Main Function Helps muscles to contract (including the heart muscle)
*Memory trick (P)otassium (P)umps
*Potassium = Heart*
Hyperkalemia excessive potassium in the blood (>5)
Hypokalemia Low potassium levels in the blood (<3.5)
Signs of Hyperkalemia *MURDER*
• Muscle weakness
• Urine, oliguria or anuria
• Respiratory distress
• Decreased cardiac contractility
• EKG changes (Peaked T waves or small P waves)
• Reflexes, hyper or hypo
Signs of Hypokalemia *6 L's*
*Lethargy
Sodium Normal Range 135-145 mEq/L
Sodium main function Helps Maintain blood volume & blood pressure
*Memory trick- (S)odium (S)wells, sodium causes the body to retain water. Sodium imbalance
can lead to neuro changes
*Sodium = Brain*
Hypernatremia high levels of sodium in the blood (>145)
Hyponatremia low levels of sodium in the blood (<135)
Signs of Hypernatremia *FRIED SALT*
Flushed skin
Restless (anxious,confused, irritable)
Increased BP & Fluid retention
Edema (pitting)
Decreased urine output
Skin is dried
Agitation
Low grade fever
Thirst
Signs of hyponatremia *SALT LOSS*
Stupor/coma
Anorexia
Lethargy
,Tachycardia
Limp muscles (muscle weakness)
Orthostatuc hypotension
Seizures/headaches
Stomach cramping
Risk factors for hypernatremia Increased sodium intake, loss of fluids
Decrease water = increase sodium
Risk factors for hyponatremia Loss of sodium from the 5D's
- Diaphoresis
-Diarrhea & vomiting
-Drains (NGT suction)
-Diuretics
-siaDh (Dilution)
Treatment for hypernatrmia -Restrict sodium intake
- Adm. IV fluids if due to fluid loss (Isotonic or hypotonic solutions)
Treatments for hyponatrmia TREAT UNDERLYING CAUSES!
-Adm. IV fluids (Hypertonic solutions- contain high amounts of salt)
- place patient on seizure precaution
- Fluid restriction (They are in fluid volume overload)
- NPO (Never give food to a patient who is lethargic, confused, or in a comatose state, they are
at risk for aspiration)
, Potassium Normal range 3.5-5.0 mEq/L (*Memory trick* BANANAS- theres about 3-5 in
every bundle and you want them half ripe!)
Potassium Main Function Helps muscles to contract (including the heart muscle)
*Memory trick (P)otassium (P)umps
*Potassium = Heart*
Hyperkalemia excessive potassium in the blood (>5)
Hypokalemia Low potassium levels in the blood (<3.5)
Signs of Hyperkalemia *MURDER*
• Muscle weakness
• Urine, oliguria or anuria
• Respiratory distress
• Decreased cardiac contractility
• EKG changes (Peaked T waves or small P waves)
• Reflexes, hyper or hypo
Signs of Hypokalemia *6 L's*
*Lethargy
