Electrolyte Imbalances: Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, and Magnesium

Fill-in-the-blank practice flashcards covering normal reference ranges, causes, signs and symptoms, ECG manifestations, nursing considerations, and clinical red flags for sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium imbalances.

The normal serum reference range for sodium ($\text{Na}^+$) is __________.

$$135\text{--}145\,\text{mEq/L}$$

The normal serum reference range for potassium ($\text{K}^+$) is __________.

$$3.5\text{--}5.0\,\text{mEq/L}$$

The normal serum reference range for calcium ($\text{Ca}^{2+}$) is __________.

$$9.0\text{--}10.5\,\text{mg/dL}$$

The normal serum reference range for magnesium ($\text{Mg}^{2+}$) is __________.

$$1.5\text{--}2.5\,\text{mEq/L}$$

When managing dilutional hyponatremia, the primary fluid nursing intervention is __________.

fluid restriction

Hyponatremia must be corrected slowly because rapid correction risks __________.

osmotic demyelination

An endocrine cause of hypernatremia characterized by massive dilute urine output is __________.

diabetes insipidus

Rapid correction of hypernatremia must be avoided due to the high risk of __________.

cerebral edema

On an ECG, hypokalemia characteristically manifests with U waves and __________.

flattened T waves

Potassium must be replaced slowly via an infusion pump and must NEVER be administered via __________.

IV push

Prior to administering potassium replacement, the nurse must always check the patient's __________.

renal function

On a cardiac monitor, characteristic ECG changes of hyperkalemia include a widened QRS complex and __________.

peaked T waves

Severe untreated hyperkalemia is life-threatening because it can rapidly progress to __________.

cardiac arrest

Medications and interventions ordered to treat hyperkalemia include calcium gluconate, insulin + glucose, dialysis, and __________.

kayexalate

Classic physical examination findings of neuromuscular excitability in hypocalcemia include Chvostek's sign and __________.

Trousseau's sign

On an ECG, hypocalcemia produces a(n) __________.

prolonged QT interval

Clinical manifestations of hypercalcemia include muscle weakness, decreased deep tendon reflexes, confusion, constipation, and __________.

kidney stones

Unlike hypocalcemia, hypercalcemia produces a(n) __________ on an ECG.

shortened QT interval

Pharmacologic management ordered for hypercalcemia includes calcitonin and __________.

bisphosphonates

In addition to diuretics, a common drug class cause of hypomagnesemia is __________.

PPI use

In hypomagnesemia, severe central nervous system manifestations such as seizures often occur alongside low calcium and __________.

low potassium

A hallmark sign of magnesium toxicity in patients receiving magnesium sulfate therapy is decreased or __________.

absent deep tendon reflexes

The nurse must keep __________ readily available as the antidote for hypermagnesemia toxicity.

calcium gluconate

Sodium levels must be corrected slowly in both directions because rapid fluid shifts cause injury to the __________.

brain