ELECTROLYTES
As a nurse you are expected to know about electrolytes, their normal levels, and what effect they have on the body if they fall outside of their usual range.
ELECTROLYTE (normal adult range)
RASONS FOR ABNORMAL FINDINGS
DEFICIENCY
EXCESS
HYPOCALCEMIA
Hypoparathyroidism
⚫Acute pancreatitis
Hyperphosphatemia
Thyroid carcinoma
Vitamin D deficiency
HYPERCALCEMIA
• Prolonged immobilization
⚫Hyperparathyroidism
Malignancy of bone
CALCIUM (4.5-5.5 mEq/L)
POTASSIUM (3.5-5 mEq/L)
HYPOKALEMIA
HYPERKALEMIA
• Excessive loss through vomiting, Renal failure
urination, perspiration, or diarrhea Hyporaldosteronism
• Use of drugs
• Use of drugs
Poor intake of potassium
Excessive intake of potassium
⚫ Hyperaldosteronism
⚫ Condition where potassium moves out of tissue ceils into plasma
SODIUM (135-145 mEq/L)
HYPONATREMIA
Excessive loss through
diarrhea, sweating,
vomiting, or use of diuretics • Excessive water intake
• Head injury
HYPERNATREMIA
• Loss of fluids through
diarrhea
Deprivation of water
• Excessive salt intake
• Diabetes insipidus
⚫ Heat stroke
CHLORIDE (95-108 mEq/L)
HYPOCHLOREMIA
• Addison's disease
• Diarrhea
Metabolic alkalosis
• Respiratory acidosis
• Vomiting
HYPERCHLOREMIA
⚫ Cardiac decompensation
Metabolic acidosis
• Respiratory alkalosis
• Corticosteroid therapy
⚫ Uremia
MAGNESIUM (1.5-2.5 mEq/L)
HYPOMAGNESEMIA
• Excessive loss from GI tract
⚫Use of drugs
• Chronic alcoholism
• Diabetic ketoacidosis
• Hyperparathyroidism
HYPERMAGNESEMIA
• Renal disease and renal
failure
•Treatment with magnesium and magnesium-containing medications
PHOSPHATE (25-4.5 mEq/L)
HYPOPHOSPHATEMIA
• Alkalosis
•Diabetes
Chronic alcoholism
Recovery from malnutrition
Severe diarrhea
HYPERPHOSPHATEMIA
• Renal failure
⚫ Hypoparathyroidism
Excessive ingestion of
phosphorus
Trauma
• Heat stroke
