s/s

SODIUM (Na⁺) — 135–145 mEq/L

Hyponatremia (Low Sodium)

Causes — Hyponatremia:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Overuse of diuretics

S/S — Hyponatremia:

• Muscle weakness

• Cramping

• Confusion

• Seizures

• ↑ Intracranial pressure

• Impaired cerebral function

Hypernatremia (High Sodium)

Causes — Hypernatremia:

• Insensible fluid loss

• Diarrhea

• Lack of fluid intake

• Fluid deprivation

S/S — Hypernatremia:

• Thirst

• Dry mucous membranes

• ↑ Temperature

• Confusion

• Irritability

• Seizures

• Weakness

• Hallucinations

POTASSIUM (K⁺) — 3.5–5 mEq/L

(Never push potassium; do not crush potassium supplements.)

Hypokalemia (Low Potassium)

Causes — Hypokalemia:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Gastric suction

• Alkalosis

• Diuretics

S/S — Hypokalemia:

• Muscle weakness

• Leg cramps

• Fatigue, lethargy

• Anorexia

• Nausea, vomiting

• Constipation / decreased peristalsis

• Paresthesia

• Cardiac dysrhythmias

• Digitalis toxicity

• Orthostatic hypotension

Hyperkalemia (High Potassium)

Causes — Hyperkalemia:

• Hypoaldosteronism

• Renal failure

• Potassium-sparing diuretics

• Certain medications

S/S — Hyperkalemia:

• Muscle weakness

• Cardiac dysrhythmias

• Flaccid paralysis

• Paresthesia

• Abdominal cramping

CALCIUM (Ca²⁺) — 8.5–10.5 mg/dL

Hypocalcemia (Low Calcium)

Causes — Hypocalcemia:

• Vitamin D deficiency

• Low calcium intake

• Excessive calcium loss

S/S — Hypocalcemia:

• Neuromuscular excitability ↑

• Muscle cramps

• Tetany

• Seizures

• Hyperactive reflexes

• Trousseau’s sign

• Chvostek’s sign

• Cardiac dysrhythmias

Hypercalcemia (High Calcium)

Causes — Hypercalcemia:

• Certain cancers

• Hyperparathyroidism

S/S — Hypercalcemia:

• Nausea, vomiting

• Constipation

• Anorexia

• Confusion

• Lethargy

• Slurred speech

• ↓ Reflexes

• ↓ LOC

• Muscle weakness

• Weak bones → fall risk

• Cardiac dysrhythmias

• ↓ Respiratory rate

• Renal calculi

MAGNESIUM (Mg²⁺) — 1.3–2.1 mg/dL

Hypomagnesemia (Low Magnesium)

Causes — Hypomagnesemia:

• Diarrhea

• NG suction

• Chronic alcoholism

• Tube or parenteral feedings

• Sepsis

• Burns

S/S — Hypomagnesemia:

• Neuromuscular excitability ↑

• Hyperactive DTR

• Cardiac dysrhythmias

• Chvostek sign

• Trousseau sign

• Muscle cramps

• Tetany

• Seizures

• Tremors

• Mental status changes

• Respiratory paralysis

Hypermagnesemia (High Magnesium)

Causes — Hypermagnesemia:

• Renal failure

• Excess magnesium intake

• Certain medications

S/S — Hypermagnesemia:

• Nausea, vomiting

• Flushing

• Weakness, lethargy

• ↓ DTR

• Respiratory depression

• Coma

• Cardiac arrest

• ↓ Muscle strength

• ↓ LOC

• Hypotension

• Dysrhythmias

• Bradycardia

• Diaphoresis