Electrolyte Imbalance Exam 1:
Questions and Answers Already Passed
What is the primary cause of hyponatremia?
✔✔Hyponatremia is primarily caused by an imbalance between sodium and water, leading to
excess water in the body relative to sodium.
How can hyperkalemia affect the heart?
✔✔Hyperkalemia can cause abnormal heart rhythms, potentially leading to arrhythmias, which
can be life-threatening.
What is the role of potassium in the body?
✔✔Potassium helps regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions, and nerve signals, and is
essential for proper heart function.
What is the most common symptom of hypocalcemia?
✔✔Muscle cramps, twitching, and tetany are common symptoms of hypocalcemia, often due to
low calcium levels.
1
,How is hypernatremia usually treated?
✔✔Hypernatremia is treated by carefully replenishing fluids, usually with IV fluids that contain
water but low in sodium, to balance the sodium levels.
What does an elevated serum potassium level indicate?
✔✔Elevated serum potassium levels can indicate kidney dysfunction, excessive potassium
intake, or certain medications that affect potassium regulation.
What is the effect of acidosis on potassium levels?
✔✔Acidosis can cause potassium to shift from inside cells to the bloodstream, leading to
elevated potassium levels (hyperkalemia).
What is a potential complication of severe hypercalcemia?
✔✔Severe hypercalcemia can lead to kidney stones, bone pain, confusion, and in extreme cases,
cardiac arrest.
How does dehydration affect sodium levels?
✔✔Dehydration often causes hypernatremia, as water loss leads to a higher concentration of
sodium in the blood.
2
, What is the main function of sodium in the body?
✔✔Sodium helps maintain fluid balance, transmit nerve impulses, and regulate blood pressure.
What symptoms are commonly associated with hypokalemia?
✔✔Weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, and arrhythmias are common symptoms of hypokalemia,
usually due to low potassium levels.
How can kidney disease lead to electrolyte imbalances?
✔✔Kidney disease can impair the kidneys' ability to excrete or retain electrolytes, leading to
imbalances like hyperkalemia or hyponatremia.
What electrolyte imbalance is associated with bone fractures and osteoporosis?
✔✔Hypocalcemia is associated with weakened bones, increasing the risk of fractures and
conditions like osteoporosis.
How can you differentiate between metabolic acidosis and respiratory acidosis?
3
Questions and Answers Already Passed
What is the primary cause of hyponatremia?
✔✔Hyponatremia is primarily caused by an imbalance between sodium and water, leading to
excess water in the body relative to sodium.
How can hyperkalemia affect the heart?
✔✔Hyperkalemia can cause abnormal heart rhythms, potentially leading to arrhythmias, which
can be life-threatening.
What is the role of potassium in the body?
✔✔Potassium helps regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions, and nerve signals, and is
essential for proper heart function.
What is the most common symptom of hypocalcemia?
✔✔Muscle cramps, twitching, and tetany are common symptoms of hypocalcemia, often due to
low calcium levels.
1
,How is hypernatremia usually treated?
✔✔Hypernatremia is treated by carefully replenishing fluids, usually with IV fluids that contain
water but low in sodium, to balance the sodium levels.
What does an elevated serum potassium level indicate?
✔✔Elevated serum potassium levels can indicate kidney dysfunction, excessive potassium
intake, or certain medications that affect potassium regulation.
What is the effect of acidosis on potassium levels?
✔✔Acidosis can cause potassium to shift from inside cells to the bloodstream, leading to
elevated potassium levels (hyperkalemia).
What is a potential complication of severe hypercalcemia?
✔✔Severe hypercalcemia can lead to kidney stones, bone pain, confusion, and in extreme cases,
cardiac arrest.
How does dehydration affect sodium levels?
✔✔Dehydration often causes hypernatremia, as water loss leads to a higher concentration of
sodium in the blood.
2
, What is the main function of sodium in the body?
✔✔Sodium helps maintain fluid balance, transmit nerve impulses, and regulate blood pressure.
What symptoms are commonly associated with hypokalemia?
✔✔Weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, and arrhythmias are common symptoms of hypokalemia,
usually due to low potassium levels.
How can kidney disease lead to electrolyte imbalances?
✔✔Kidney disease can impair the kidneys' ability to excrete or retain electrolytes, leading to
imbalances like hyperkalemia or hyponatremia.
What electrolyte imbalance is associated with bone fractures and osteoporosis?
✔✔Hypocalcemia is associated with weakened bones, increasing the risk of fractures and
conditions like osteoporosis.
How can you differentiate between metabolic acidosis and respiratory acidosis?
3
