Electrolytes S & S Study Guide
Electrolyte
Na+
(Normal Value)
(135 – 145)
Hyponatremia
Hypernatremia
(less than 135)
(greater than 145)
Depressed & Deflated
Big & Bloated
1.) Neuro

Seizures & coma
2.) Heart

Tachycardia & weak thready
pulses
3.) Respiratory arrest
K+
(3.5 – 5.3)
Hypokalemia
Hyperkalemia
(less than 3.5)
(greater than 5.3)
Low & slow
Tight and contracted
1.) Heart

Flat T waves, ST depression &
prominent U wave
2.) Muscular

Decreased DTR

Muscle cramping

Flaccid paralysis (paralyzed
muscles)
3.) Gi Tract

Decreased motility, hypoactive
(to absent) bowel sounds

Constipation

Abdominal distention

Paralytic ileus (paralyzed
intestines)
- * Priority * for SBO (small
bowel obstruction)
Mg+
(1.5 – 2.5)
1.) Skin

Flush “red and rosy”

Edema “waterbed skin”

Low grade fever
2.) Polydipsia (excess thirst)
3.) Late serious signs

Swollen dry (furrowed) tongue

GI = nausea & vomiting

Increased muscle tone
1.) Heart

ST elevation & peaked T waves

Severe = V fib or cardiac
standstill

Hypotension, Bradycardia
2.) Gi Tract

Diarrhea

Hyperactive bowel sounds
3.) Neuromuscular

Paralysis (tingling) in extremities

Increased DTR (deep tendon
reflexes)

Muscle weakness (general
feeling of heaviness)
Hypomagnesemia
Hypermagnesemia
(less than 1.8)
(greater than 3.0)
Buck wild!
Calm and quiet
1.) Cardiac

EKG: ST depression, T wave
inversion

Torsades de Pointes

Severe = V fib

Vitals = Tachycardia
2.) Deep Tendon Reflexes (DTR)

Hyporeflexia (increased DTR)
3.) Eyes

Abnormal eye movements
(nystagmus)
4.) GI

Diarrhea
5.) Neuro

Confusion
6.) Lungs

Shallow breathing
1.) Cardiac

Heart block

Prolonged PR intervals

Vitals = Bradycardia,
Hypotension
2.) Deep tendon reflexes

Hyporeflexia – Decreased DTR
3.) Lungs

Depressed shallow respirations
4.) GI

Hypoactive bowel sounds
Ca+
(9 – 11)
Hypocalcemia
Hypercalcemia
(less than 9)
(greater than 11)
Swollen & slow – moans, groans & stones
1.) Trousseau’s sign (arm twerk w/blood
pressure cuff on)
2.) Chvostek’s sign (smile while stroking
cheek)
3.) Diarrhea
4.) Circumoral (around mouth) tingling
5.) Weak B’s

Strong bones? – Weak!
(fractures)

Strong blood clotting? – Weak!
(risk for bleeding)

Strong heartbeats? – Weak!
(cardiac dysrhythmias)
P
(2.5 – 4.5)
Hypophosphatemia
Hyperphosphatemia
(less than 2.5)
(greater than 4.5)
“High Calcium”
“Low calcium”
Swollen & slow – moans, groans & stones
1.) Constipation (slow & swollen GI)
2.) Decreased DTR & severe muscle
weakness
3.) Decreased HR & decreased RR
4.) Increased BP
Cl
(95 – 105)
1.) Constipation (slow & swollen GI)
2.) Bone Pain (Bc too much Ca+ leaving
bones & going into blood stream)
3.) Kidney stones (renal calculi)
4.) Deep tendon reflexes (slow & swollen)

Decreased DTR

Severe muscle weakness
1.) Trousseau’s sign (arm twerk w/blood
pressure cuff on)
2.) Chvostek’s sign (smile while stroking
cheek)
3.) Diarrhea
4.) Weak B’s

Strong bones? – Weak!
(fractures)

Strong blood clotting? – Weak!
(risk for bleeding)

Strong heartbeats? – Weak!
(cardiac dysrhythmias)
Hypochloremia
Hyperchloremia
(less than 95)
(greater than 105)
Nearly same as LOW sodium
Nearly same as HIGH sodium
1.) Excessive diarrhea, vomiting, sweating
2.) Fever TEST TIP: (ONLY difference
between hyponatremia & hypochloremia)
1.) Nausea & vomiting
2.) Swollen & dry tongue
3.) Confusion
* Profound and severe are late serious signs when asked on exams *