The Role of Fluid and Electrolyte Balance in Body Function
A fluid and electrolyte imbalance occurs when the concentration of water and dissolved minerals known as electrolytes in body fluids is too high or too low. The imbalance is caused by dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe burns, which cause the body’s water concentration to drop, resulting in a high electrolyte concentration (Meyers, 2009). To help muscles, brains, nerves, and other body processes function correctly, the body must maintain adequate sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, magnesium, and phosphate concentrations. When electrolyte concentrations become, too high or too low, hyper or hypo conditions result. Hypokalemia, for example, refers to a high potassium concentration, whereas hyperkalemia refers to a low potassium concentration.
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Hyperkalemia is a high potassium concentration. It is caused by acquiring blood from a heel stick, experiencing cell lysis due to needle trauma, and allowing potassium to enter the serum. Hyperkalemic patients exhibit the following signs and symptoms: abdominal cramping, lethargy, fatigue, and muscle weakness or paralysis.
To reduce serum potassium levels, hyperkalemia is treated in various ways. Insulin and beta-adrenergic agonists, including albuterol, are among the medications that can be provided. Choong K. (Kho, Menon, & Bohn, 2006). They immediately assist in lowering sodium concentrations. Hyperkalemia is also treated with sodium bicarbonate. However, the mechanism of lowering serum levels is unknown and will take time. Other medications that aid in potassium elimination include sodium polystyrene sulfonate, which aids in exchanging sodium for potassium (Lee, 2010).
Furosemide and other diuretics can increase potassium excretion in the urine. However, it should be used cautiously because it can cause decreased potassium excretion. In situations involving symptomatic patients with cardioprotective effects, calcium is preferred for antagonizing potassium’s membrane (Lee, 2010).
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References
Lee, J. W. (2010). Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances in Critically Ill Patients. Electrolytes & Blood Pressure : E & BP, 8(2), 72–81. http://doi.org/10.5049/EBP.2010.8.2.72
Meyers, R. S. (2009). Pediatric Fluid and Electrolyte Therapy. The Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics: JPPT, 14(4), 204–211. http://doi.org/10.5863/1551-6776- 14.4.204
Choong K., Kho M., Menon K., & Bohn D. (2006). Hypotonic versus isotonic saline in hospitalized children: a systematic review.
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Fluid imbalances
- Describe what a fluid and electrolyte imbalance is and how this is important to the body’s function.
- Pick a fluid or electrolyte imbalance and describe how the patient would present, in addition to the treatment (nursing and expected medical).
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