ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCES Match the electrolyte imbalance with its signs and symptoms. 1. _____ Hyponatremia 2. _____ Hyperkalemia 3. _____ Hypokalemia 4. _____ Hypercalcemia 5. _____ Hypocalcemia 1. Osteoporosis, hyperactive reflexes 2. Muscle weakness, weak pulse 3. Muscle weakness, kidney stones 4. Fluid balance, mental status changes 5. Muscle cramps, irregular heart rate CRITICAL THINKING Read the following case study and answer the questions. Mr. James is an 89-year-old man admitted to your unit with worsening chronic bronchitis. On admission, he is short of breath, but he is able to walk to the bathroom without difficulty. The physician orders bronchodilators, antibiotics, and an intravenous (IV) infusion of normal saline at 150 mL per hour. When you return to work the next day, you find Mr. James gasping for breath, coughing, and panicky. You quickly listen to his lungs and hear more moist crackles than you did yesterday. 1. What additional data do you collect to confirm your suspicion of fluid overload? 2. You report your findings to the registered nurse (RN) and collaborate on quickly developing a nursing diagnosis of excess fluid volume. What factors contributed to this problem? 3. The RN pages the health care provider while you return to check on the patient. What nursing interventions can help until orders are received? 4. How will you know when the problem has been resolved?
