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Articles and journal scans about Electrolytes
Journal Scan
March 2018
Ketoacidosis – three unusual and informative case study reports
Blood gas analysis involves determination of three parameters (pH, bicarbonate and partial pressure of carbon dioxide, pCO2) necessary for assessment of patient acid-base status and identification of those whose acid-base is disturbed. There are four classes of acid-base disturbance: metabolic acidosis, metabolic...
Blood gases/acid-base
Electrolytes
Journal Scan
February 2018
In vitro hemolysis – a potential cause of preanalytical error reviewed
The process of laboratory/point-of-care testing of patient samples comprises three distinct phases: the preanalytical phase, which includes sample collection and transport to the site of testing; the analytical phase; and the postanalytical phase, which includes communication and interpretation of the test result as...
Electrolytes
Journal Scan
January 2018
Blood sampled from bone for point-of-care testing
Intravenous (iv) catheters are routinely employed for speedy delivery of fluids and drugs to the critically ill; they also provide the means for sampling blood for testing. This iv catheterization occurs in a range of settings including prehospital emergency care, hospital emergency rooms and intensive/critical care...
Electrolytes
Journal Scan
December 2017
Pseudohyperkalemia: a clinical study
Raised plasma/serum potassium (hyperkalemia), which is widely defined as potassium >5.0-5.3 mmol/L, is a common electrolyte disturbance with many possible causes, including renal failure, acidosis, aldosterone deficiency and tissue damage. Severe hyperkalemia is a potentially life-threatening condition that demands...
Preanalytical phase
Electrolytes
Journal Scan
November 2017
Drug-induced hypocalcemia (and hypomagnesemia) highlighted
Plasma calcium is maintained within normal limits by the integrated action of three hormones: parathyroid hormone (PTH); the vitamin D-derived renal hormone, calcitriol; and the thyroid hormone, calcitonin.
Hypocalcemia (reduced blood calcium), which is defined as corrected total plasma calcium <2.20 mmol/L and...
Electrolytes
Journal Scan
October 2017
Reduced plasma potassium – a rare cause highlighted
In health plasma potassium concentration is maintained within the approximate reference range of 3.5-5.3 mmol/L in part by the action of the adrenal hormone aldosterone on renal tubule cells. Hypokalemia (reduced blood potassium), defined as plasma potassium <3.5 mmol/L, is one of the most common electrolyte...
Electrolytes
Journal Scan
June 2017
Acid-base and electrolyte disorders in CKD – a review article
As the authors of this review article acknowledge, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a growing public health burden around the world. Recent study, cited by the authors, suggests an estimated 14 % of the US population are now diagnosed with CKD, and
0.2 % have end-stage renal disease (ESRD), the most severe presentation ...
Kidneys/fluids
Blood gases/acid-base
Point-of-care testing
Electrolytes
Creatinine/urea
Journal Scan
April 2017
Disturbance of blood calcium homeostasis in cancer patients
In health plasma ionized calcium concentration (iCa) is maintained within the approximate reference range of 1.15-1.30 mmol/L (4.6-5.2 mg/dL) principally by the synergistic action of two hormones: parathyroid hormone (PTH) and the vitamin D-derived hormone, calcitriol.
Hypercalcemia (increased blood calcium),...
Electrolytes
Journal Scan
April 2017
Metabolic alkalosis – a case study report
Monitoring patient acid-base status is one of three principal clinical utilities of blood gas analysis (the other two are monitoring patient oxygen and ventilation status). Three parameters generated during blood gas analysis (pH, pCO2 and bicarbonate) allow this acid-base assessment and classification of all...
Blood gases/acid-base
Electrolytes
Journal Scan
March 2017
Lowest ever recorded potassium concentration – a case report
In health plasma potassium concentration is maintained within the approximate reference range of 3.5-5.2 mmol/L, so that hypokalemia (reduced plasma potassium) is defined as plasma potassium < 3.5 mmol/L.
Mild hypokalemia (plasma potassium in the range of 3.0-3.5 mmol/L) is a common electrolyte disturbance that may or ...
Electrolytes