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Electrolyte Imbalance

The document discusses electrolyte imbalance, including its causes, effects, and management strategies. Some key points: - Electrolyte imbalance refers to an abnormal concentration of electrolytes like sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in body fluids. - Common causes of electrolyte imbalance include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, malnutrition, certain medications, liver/kidney problems, and burns. The biggest cause is a loss of bodily fluids. - Effects range from mild symptoms like dizziness and cramps to life-threatening issues like coma, seizures, and cardiac arrest. The most serious imbalance is hyperkalemia. - Management strategies involve restoring fluid and electrolyte

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54 views2 pages

Electrolyte Imbalance

The document discusses electrolyte imbalance, including its causes, effects, and management strategies. Some key points: - Electrolyte imbalance refers to an abnormal concentration of electrolytes like sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in body fluids. - Common causes of electrolyte imbalance include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, malnutrition, certain medications, liver/kidney problems, and burns. The biggest cause is a loss of bodily fluids. - Effects range from mild symptoms like dizziness and cramps to life-threatening issues like coma, seizures, and cardiac arrest. The most serious imbalance is hyperkalemia. - Management strategies involve restoring fluid and electrolyte

Uploaded by

irenezach88
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A) Research the causes of electrolyte imbalance. Make a list of these causes and why they occur.

Electrolyte imbalance refers to an abnormal concentration of electrolytes in the body fluids, particularly
in the blood. Electrolytes are essential minerals that carry an electric charge and play crucial roles in
various physiological functions. The primary electrolytes in the human body include sodium, potassium,
calcium, chloride, phosphate, and magnesium.

Electrolyte imbalances are most often due to:


• vomiting.
• diarrhea.
• not drinking enough fluids.
• not eating enough (Malnutrition)
• excessive sweating.
• certain medications, such as laxatives and diuretics.
• eating disorders.
• liver or kidney problems.
• Burns
• Hormonal changes (Menstruation or Pregnancy etc.)

What is the biggest cause of electrolyte loss?


A loss of bodily fluids most often causes an electrolyte imbalance.
This can happen after prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating,
due to an illness, for example. It can also be caused by: fluid loss
related to burns.

B) Research the effects of electrolyte imbalance. Make a list of these effects and their impacts on the
human body.

Electrolyte imbalances can cause :


• dizziness, cramps, Irregular
heartbeat, edema,
increased blood pressure
(sodium or potassium
imbalance) .

Severe electrolyte imbalances


can cause serious problems
such as :
• coma, seizures, and cardiac
arrest
• Hyperkalemia is most
serious imbalance, it is life-
threatening and require
immediate therapy.
• Hyperkalemia is most commonly seen in patients with end-stage renal disease.
• Hyponatremia is the decrease of the circulating blood volume. Unreplaced fluid loss through the
skin and gastrointestinal tract e.g excessive sweating, vomiting or diarrhea
C) Research the management strategies for electrolyte imbalance. Make a list of these strategies and
how they help with electrolyte imbalance.

• Proper nutrition and fluid intake will manage most electrolyte levels.
• Regular blood tests and monitoring
• IV fluids like sodium chloride to rehydrate your body.
• IV medicines to restore a healthy electrolyte balance.
• Medications or supplements to replace lost electrolytes.
• Hemodialysis to correct electrolyte imbalances caused by kidney failure or severe kidney
damage.

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