Damaris E. answered • 04/29/20
Nursing, Tea, and Success!
An electrolyte imbalance is when there is an abnormal concentration of electrolytes (high or low) AND/OR there is an abnormal fluctuation in fluids (high or low). The cells in our body need an environment that maintains equilibrium between the fluid and electrolytes in order to function properly and effectively. The fluid and electrolytes must balance out in order for our cells to thrive. To maintain that balance, our kidneys, our hormones, our heart, and our brain all work together to maintain balance. Changes in the concentration of electrolytes and fluids can disrupt cellular function of enzyme systems and cause cell injury. This is foundational to understanding a lot of disease processes and pathophysiology as a whole.
References
McCance, K., & Huether, S. (2019). Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children (8thed.). Elsevier.
