Electrolytes are salts, which pass through our bodies for very important purposes. People take in electrolytes in the form of food and fluid, but production of electrolytes is also affected by our environment. Infants, toddlers and infants need more water than adults in order to properly develop their bodies. Insufficient amounts of water also can slow down metabolism, which means they require less food and their muscle mass increases. The kidneys work hard to keep the body producing enough electrolytes, but they aren’t always successful. Antacids can interfere with the way foods release into the blood stream or how well they’re absorbed so an antacid shouldn’t be used at the same time as a medication that contains electrolytes

Nursing Diagnosis Electrolyte Imbalance

1. Electrolytes are salts, which pass through our bodies for very important purposes.

You may be wondering what electrolytes are. They are salts that pass through our bodies for very important purposes. If a person is lacking in an electrolyte, it could cause many different types of health issues. For example, if someone has insufficient levels of potassium or sodium in their blood stream, they may experience muscle weakness or cramping as well as heart irregularities.

If you have ever experienced dehydration or low blood pressure after exercising vigorously for hours at a time then this can also be linked back to electrolyte imbalance and malnutrition due to lack of proper hydration during exercise sessions (like football practice).

2. People take in electrolytes in the form of food and fluid, but production of electrolytes is also affected by our environment.

Electrolytes are chemicals that help maintain fluid balance, regulate blood pressure and nerve function, and transmit impulses across cell membranes. Electrolyte imbalances can occur when you have too much or too little of one or more of the electrolytes in your body.

Our bodies produce electrolytes in the form of food and fluids we drink, but production also depends on our environment. We lose electrolytes through sweating, urination, respiration and other processes. For example: As we sweat during exercise or heat exposure, sodium is lost through our skin; excessive sweating can cause a loss of potassium from our bodies as well; diarrhea causes losses of potassium along with fluid from the bowels; vomiting causes rapid losses of water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C (ascorbic acid)

3. Infants, toddlers and infants need more water than adults in order to properly develop their bodies.

As a nurse, your job is to provide the right amount of fluids for your patients. In order to do this, you need to know how much water infants and toddlers need compared to adults.

Infants and toddlers have smaller bodies than adults and therefore require less food in proportion to their size. The amount of nutrients they receive from food and drinks can be increased by adding more water or other fluids that contain vitamins and minerals. Water is essential for growth, brain development, muscle growth, body function and health in general because it makes up 70% of our body weight!

4. Insufficient amounts of water also can slow down metabolism, which means they require less food and their muscle mass increases.

For the body to function properly, it needs water. Water is needed for many different bodily functions and processes including:

• Transporting nutrients to cells
• Flushing waste products out of the body

If you don’t get enough water, your health could be at risk.

5. The kidneys work hard to keep the body producing enough electrolytes, but they aren’t always successful.

The kidneys are responsible for balancing electrolytes in the body. They filter out waste products and remove excess fluid, which is then passed along to be expelled from the body as urine. This process helps maintain the proper chemical balance of electrolytes like sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium.

If you have a condition that makes it difficult for your kidneys to function properly, such as diabetes or kidney disease (also known as nephropathy), it can become increasingly difficult for them to keep up with this job. It’s common for people with these conditions to require supplemental electrolyte replacement through food and drink intake as well as IV therapy if needed

6. Antacids can interfere with the way foods release into the blood stream or how well they’re absorbed, so an antacid shouldn’t be used at the same time as a medication that contains electrolytes.

Antacids can interfere with the way foods release into the blood stream or how well they’re absorbed, so an antacid shouldn’t be used at the same time as a medication that contains electrolytes. If you use an antacid while taking your medication, you may need to stop taking it for a while and then work up to taking it again.

7. It’s essential to know when you’re drinking too little or too much water

It’s important to know when you’re drinking too much or too little water. Drinking too much water can be dangerous, as it can lead to hyponatremia (an electrolyte imbalance caused by an abnormally low concentration of sodium in the blood) and overhydration. Symptoms of hyponatremia include nausea and vomiting, loss of consciousness, headache, fatigue and muscle twitches. If left untreated, it may result in seizures or coma.

The recommended daily intake for water is about 2 liters per day for men and 1.9 liters per day for women; this number increases with heat exposure or vigorous activity level:

• 1 liter if you exercise vigorously more than two hours in a day
• 2 liters if you live in a hot climate
• 3 liters if you practice sustained physical activity at high altitude

Closing

The most important thing to remember when dealing with electrolyte imbalances is that they can be very dangerous if left untreated. If you notice any of the symptoms listed above or think that you might have an electrolyte imbalance, make sure to visit your doctor immediately!