Electrolyte Balances

Hypokalemia:
Causes:
Alkalosis
Excessive Insulin: drives k+ into cells
Aldosterone
Diuretics
Vomiting, diarrhea
Effect:
Skeletal mUscle weakness
dysrhythmias
Intestinal dilation
Increased risk for stroke and HTN.
Preferred Treatment: KCl

Hyperkalemia:
Causes:
acidosis
severe tissue trauma-cells are damaged and release K+
misuse of k+ sparing diuretics
Effect:
CARDIAC ARREST
confusion, anxiety
dyspnea, weakness of the leags
Treatment:
infuse Ca+: offsets the effects on the heart
infuse glucose and insulin simultaneously; so you dont become hypo glycemic
If acidotic: infuse of NaHco3- to increase pH and increase uptake of k+
Hypocalcemia:
Causes: increased pH causes increased binding of ca+ to protein
Effect: increased muscle contraction and nerve excitability----tetany: caused decreased Ca+ allows Na+ to move into cells.

Then would this happen?
(hypocalcemia)Decreased ca+ --> Na+ moves into cells--> tetany--> Infuse K+ to push out Na+ and K+ would then enter the cells? Remember a treatment for hyperkalemia is Ca+.


Hypomagnesium also causes tetany--> you would then give mg+sulfate--> If you give too much or your hypermagnesium you would give ca+ to countereffect. So too little ca+ and Mg+ cause teteny: increased amount of Ach release at nuerotransmitters. Too much Mg+ has the opposite effect muscle weakness: from Ach inhibition, also Hypotension, sedation, and EKG changes(cardiac arrest)
Do you have a way of remembering this or more info? please post it!