Introduction[edit | edit source]An electrolyte is any of various ions, such as sodium, potassium, or chloride, required by cells to regulate the electric charge and flow of water molecules across the cell membrane.[1] They are largely minerals with electric charges that are dissolved in blood, cellular fluid or extracellular fluid and help to maintain nerve, muscle, acid-base balance and water balance in the body. [2] Show
Electrolytes are essential for basic life functioning, such as[2][3]:
Electrolytes come from our food and fluids.
The term electrolyte means that this ion is electrically-charged and moves to either a negative (cathode) or positive (anode) electrode:
Function[edit | edit source]Electrolytes are important because they are what your cells (especially nerve, heart, muscle) use to maintain voltages across their cell membranes and to carry electrical impulses (nerve impulses, muscle contractions) across themselves and to other cells. Your kidneys work to keep the electrolyte concentrations in your blood constant despite changes in your body. Eg. When you exercise heavily, you lose electrolytes in your sweat, particularly sodium and potassium. These electrolytes must be replaced to keep the electrolyte concentrations of your body fluids constant[5]. Complications[edit | edit source]
Indication for Analysis[edit | edit source]Indications to order serum electrolyte panel are numerous. Some of which include[4][6]:
Main Electrolytes[edit | edit source]Sodium, Potassium. Chloride, Bicarbonate, Calcium and Phosphates are regarded as main electrolytes whose role aid in nerve excitability, body fluid buffering and transport of materials between the different body compartments.[3]
Potassium (K+)
Calcium (Ca2+)
Bicarbonate (HCO3-)
Magnesium (Mg2+)
Chloride (Cl 1-)
Phosphorus (P)
Electrolyte Imbalances[edit | edit source]The most common electrolyte imbalances are in sodium and potassium. Electrolyte imbalances are referred to with the prefixes "hypo" (low) and "hyper" (high), combined with the scientific name of the electrolyte. Hyponatremia (low sodium)
Hypernatremia (high sodium)
Hypokalemia (low potassium)
Hyperkalemia (high potassium)
References[edit | edit source]
Which of the following would likely cause edema?Edema can be the result of medication, pregnancy or an underlying disease — often congestive heart failure, kidney disease or cirrhosis of the liver.
Which condition is most likely to cause formation of edema quizlet?Which condition is most likely to cause formation of edema? c. Decreased plasma osmotic pressure, increased plasma hydrostatic pressured. Both decreased plasma osmotic pressure and increased plasma hydrostatic pressure are forces that tend to move fluid out from the plasma volume and into the interstitial space.
Which of the following could cause edema quizlet?Causes of edema: high capillary hydrostatic pressure, loss of plasma proteins (low capillary osmotic pressure), lymphatic obstruction, increased capillary permeability.
Which of the following conditions can cause edema secondary to decreased colloidal osmotic pressure in the capillaries?Reductions in circulating plasma proteins, especially albumin, produce edema by decreasing plasma colloid osmotic pressure, and occurs in liver disease and severe malnutrition.
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