Week 8 Blog #1

Blog #1:

Week 8 February 22-28

Monday, February 22, 2016
4p-8p 4 Hours Interned

Objective #2:
2.     Will verbally demonstrate knowledge of tests included in a CMP and CBC/diff including abnormalities, what disease process they might indicate and possible signs and symptoms that a patient might demonstrate given these values.

Signs and symptoms a patient may demonstrate to have these tests ordered in relation to abnormal values:

Electrolytes:

Sodium- Test is ordered as part of the CMP which is for a general/annual medical exam or physical and when an individual has non-specific health complaints. Low sodium levels have signs and symptoms such as weakness, confusion, lethargy, and fatigue. High sodium levels have signs and symptoms such as thirst, dry mucous membranes, less frequent urination, muscle twitching, agitation, restlessness, acting irrationally, convulsions and possible coma. Another particular time to order this test is when an individual is dehydrated and is having trouble with balance. Routine sodium test are ordered in particular disorders such as high blood pressure, heart failure, and with liver and kidney diseases.

Potassium- Test is ordered as part of the CMP which is for a general/annual medical exam or physical and if they have a serious illness. Potassium tests will be ordered if an individual has kidney disease, cardiac arrhythmia, is taking diuretics or heart medications, and has high blood pressure. Regular potassium testing is done for individuals who have hypertension, diabetic ketoacidosis, kidney disease, and is receiving dialysis, diuretic therapy, or iv fluids. An individual with high potassium levels is seen in those who have kidney or addison disease, injury to tissue, infection, diabetes, dehydration, consumes too much from diet, and is taking certain drugs such as NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and potassium-sparing diuretics. An individual with low potassium levels is seen in those who have conn syndrome, diarrhea, vomiting, acetaminophen overdose, diabetes, and is taking drugs such as potassium-wasting diuretics, corticosteroids, bea-adrenergic agonists, certain antibiotics, and antifungal agents. 

Bicarbonate- Test is ordered as part of the CMP which is for a general/annual medical exam or physical. The test is ordered when an individual is demonstrating signs and symptoms of acidosis or alkalosis, prolonged vomiting and/or diarrhea, weakness, fatigue, and difficulty breathing. This test is also ordered to monitor treatment of certain problems such as high blood pressure, heart failure, and liver and kidney disease. Low CO2 levels are caused by Addison disease, chronic diarrhea, metabolic acidosis, respiratory alkalosis (hyperventilation), shock, kidney disease, methanol poisoning, and aspirin overdose. high CO2 levels are caused by prolonged vomiting and/or diarrhea, lung diseases, cushing and conn syndrome, and metabolic alkalosis. 

Chloride- Test is ordered as part of the CMP which is for a general/annual medical exam or physical. Like with CO2 the test is ordered when an individual is demonstrating signs and symptoms of acidosis or alkalosis, prolonged vomiting and/or diarrhea, weakness, fatigue, and difficulty breathing. The test is also ordered to monitor high blood pressure, heart failure, and liver and kidney disease. Increased levels of chloride can be seen when an individual is dehydrated, has cushing syndrome, and kidney disease. Elevated levels of chloride happen when too much base has been lost from the body, resulting in metabolic acidosis. Decreased chloride levels occurs with CHF, addison disease, emphysema, other chronic lung diseases, and prolonged vomitting and gastric suction. Decreased chloride levels happen when too much acid has been lost from the body, resulting in metabolic alkalosis.