FLUID AND ELECTROLYTES
CASE STUDIES
I)
Mr. Johnson, 68 years old, has been vomiting and has had diarrhea for
2 days. He complains of being dizzy. The nurse assesses his physiologic
status and notes that his muscles are weak, his abdomen is distended, and
bowel sounds are absent.
a) What electrolyte imbalance do you suspect?
b) What is the normal range for this electrolyte?
c) What other symptoms can this Patient have exhibited with this type of
electrolyte imbalance?
d) What treatment would be most appropriate for this Patient?
II)
Mrs. Unger has a high temperature and diaphoresis. She has been nauseated
and has taken only ginger ale for the last several days. Her lab tests revealed a
Sodium level of 129 mEq/L and a Potassium level of 3.7 mEq/L.
a) What type of electrolyte imbalance do you suspect?
b) What is the normal range for this electrolyte?
c) What are some other clinical signs and symptoms might you observe with
this type of imbalance?
d) When testing Mrs. Unger’s urine, what would you suspect her specific
gravity to be?
e) What treatment would be most appropriate for this Patient?
III)
A Patient has just received an administration of an intravenous potassium too rapidly.
a) What signs and symptoms would you assess for?
b) What lab values would you suspect for this Patient?
c) What treatment would be prescribed for this Patient?
IV)
An elderly Patient has just been admitted into the Emergency Room with symptoms
of confusion, muscle tremors, and a red, swollen tongue. When taking his history, it is
revealed he had been discharged from the hospital 2 days ago. He has been on IV
therapy for a stomach virus but could not keep down fluids after he was discharged.
a)
What electrolyte imbalance do you suspect for this Patient?
b) What other signs and symptoms might you need to assess for?
c) What type of treatment would be appropriate for this Patient?
N:\Syllabus\Fresh\Fall\RNSG 1523\ Fluid & Electrolytes Case Studies
Reviewed 06/11
Reviewed 06/12
Reviewed 03/13