major electrolytes

Nursing Students Student Assist

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hello everyone^^. i would just like to know about the basic things to know about the major electrolytes like K,Na, Ca and Mg..

1. there normal values

2. common sources for these electrolytes

3. Causes on why these electrolytes decrease like hyponatremia

4. classical manifestations of these cause/disease

5. at least 5 nursing interventions i could do to the patient

6. instances (diseases) where in there is excess in these electrolytes

7. Classical manifestations for these specific increase

8. at least 5 nursing interventions i could do to the patient

..thank you so much for your kindness^^hehe..:w00t:

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Specializes in ICU.

Try looking in your textbook

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moving this to the Nursing student assist forum

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

As much as we like helping students you need to do most of the work yourself. What have you got up to now?

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Specializes in NICU.

Check the fluid and electrolytes chapter in your med/surg book. Usually they have a big chart with the different values ...... normal, hyper, hypo, and what happens in each instance.

Good luck!

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

here is some of the information you requested. i have been working on electrolyte charts to post on allnurses for the students but they are not completed yet. i do not have complete information for calcium so you will have to find that information yourself. i suggest you use lab references, the metheny book on fluid and electrolytes (fluid & electrolyte balance: nursing considerations) and a medical disease reference. i also did not give you any nursing interventions. from the manifestations of each of the electrolyte problems i listed for you (and there are so many of them) you should be able to find nursing interventions quite easily. in fact, many interventions will be the opposite of what you do for corresponding increase or decrease of the electrolyte in question.

normal values

potassium

normal adult:

3.5-5.0 meq/liter

3.5-5.0 mmol/liter

normal urine in adult:

26-123 meq/24 hrs

26-123 mmol/24 hrs

panic (critical) values
:

below 2.5 meq/liter

above 6.5 meq/liter

sodium

normal adult:

135-145 meq/liter

(135-145 mmol/liter)

normal urine sodium:

27-287 meq/24 hrs

(27-287 mmol/24 hrs)

panic (critical values)
:

below120 meq/liter

above 160 meq/liter

calcium

normal adult:

8.2-10.2 mg/dl

2.05-2.55 mmol/liter

normal urine in adult:

100-300 mg/24 hrs

2.5-7.5 mmol/24 hrs

panic (critical) values
:

below 7 mg/dl

above 12d mg/dl

magnesium

normal adult:

1.2 - 2 meq/liter

1.6 - 2.6 mg/dl

0.66 - 1.07 mmol/dl

normal urine in adult:

6.0 - 10.0 meq/24 hrs

7.3 - 13.2 mg/24 hrs

3.0 - 5.0 mmol/24 hrs

panic (critical) values
:

below 0.5 meq/liter

below 1.2 mg/dl

above 3 meq/liter

above 4.9 mg/dl

common sources for these electrolytes

potassium

  • vegetables: potatoes, squash, tomatoes, mushrooms, dried beans, lima beans, carrots, spinach, asparagus, broccoli, artichokes

  • fruits: figs, dates, raisins, cantaloupe, bananas, apricots (raw), peaches (raw), pears (raw), apricots (dried), orange juice

  • meats: scallops, veal, chicken, beef

sodium

  • sodium is prevalent in most foods, so dietary deficiency is rare.

calcium

  • natural foods: many of the dried legumes and vegetables, salmon, tofu, rhubarb, sardines, collard greens, spinach, turnip greens, okra, white beans, baked beans, broccoli, peas, brussels sprouts, sesame seeds, bok choy, almonds,


  • foods that are stated as being calcium-fortified: milk, cheese

magnesium

  • whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. magnesium is prevalent in most foods, so dietary deficiency is rare.

causes why these electrolytes decrease

potassium

  • acid/base balances, potassium-wasting diuretics, steroids, sodium-containing antibiotics, where there has been loss through the gi tract, excessive sweating, excessive intake of licorice, laxative abuse, hyperglycemia, diet low in potassium, pica, primary hyperaldosteronism, iv therapy without potassium replacement, injury, burns or surgery

sodium

  • adrenal gland insufficiency, liver malfunction, vomiting and diarrhea, excessive perspiration, fever, excessive water intake, infusion of iv dextrose in water without any electrolytes, low sodium diet, malnutrition/starvation, suctioning, siadh, tap water enemas, use of diuretics

calcium

magnesium

  • giving iv fluids with magnesium salts, chronic diarrhea. chronic use of laxatives, use of loop diuretics and thiazide diuretics, excessive release of adrenocortical hormones, hemodialysis, hypercalcemia, hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, inadequate intake of magnesium, inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone, nasogastric suctioning, prolonged diuretic therapy, severe loss of body fluids due to diarrhea, lactation, sweating, starvation or malnutrition

causes why these electrolyte increase

potassium

  • acidosis, kidneys fail to dump potassium, excessive dietary intake, excessive iv infusion of potassium supplements, cell breakdown (trauma, crush injuries, burns) that release huge amounts of potassium into the intravascular compartment (general circulation)

sodium

  • excessive dietary intake of sodium or water, excessive saline in iv therapy, excessive infusion of isotonic iv solutions, decreased water output due to renal disease, excessive sweating, extensive burns, dehydration, osmotic diuresis, azotemia, long term administration of adrenocortical hormones

calcium

magnesium

  • excess iv replacement, conditions that result in decreased renal excretion of magnesium, overuse of magnesium-containing antacids (di-gel, gaviscon, maalox), hypothyroidism, overuse of laxatives containing magnesium (mom, haley's mo, magnesium citrate), severe dehydration where there is magnesium retention

manifestations of a increase in this electrolyte

potassium

  • tachycardia that changes to bradycardia, cardiac arrest due to hypopolarization and alterations in repolarization, ventricular arrhythmias, on ekg (peaked t waves, widened qrs complex, depressed st segment), hypotension, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, decreased gastric motility, muscle weakness, muscle cramps, flaccid muscle paralysis first in the legs and then in the arms and trunk, paresthesias of he face, tongue, feet and hands; drowsiness, oliguria, cardiac arrest

sodium

  • elevated blood pressure (hypertension), elevated pulse (tachycardia), elevated temperature, elevated respiratory rate, possible dyspnea, increased body weight, bounding peripheral pulses, moist mucous membranes, moist respiratory secretions, crackles in lungs on auscultation, fever, edema (may be pitting), dry skin, thirst, weakness, restlessness/agitation, disorientation, delusions, hallucinations, lethargic when undisturbed, irritable when stimulated, muscle irritability, diminished or absent dtrs, high pitched cry in infants, seizures, coma (due to swelling of brain cells), respiratory arrest due to increased osmotic pressure

calcium

magnesium

  • retards neuromuscular conduction through the heart (widened pr and qt intervals with wide qrs complexes), bradycardia, weak pulse, hypotension, heart block, cardiac arrest, drowsiness, flushing, lethargy, confusion, diminished sensorium, diminished reflexes, muscle weakness, flaccid paralysis, respiratory muscle paralysis that may cause respiratory depression

manifestations of a decrease in this electrolyte

potassium

  • hyporeflexia, weak irregular pulse, arrhythmias with ekg changes (st segment depression, flattened t waves, prominent u waves), orthostatic hypotension, cardiac arrest, decreased bowel sounds, confusion, weakness initially in the legs particularly the quadriceps and then in the arms followed by involvement of the respiratory muscles, shallow respirations, dilute urine, polyuria, polydipsia (thirst), lethargy, fatigue, leg cramps

sodium

  • increased pulse (tachycardia), weak thready peripheral pulses, flat neck veins, increased respiratory rate, decreased blood pressure (hypotension), decreased body weight., thick slurred speech, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps, oliguria, anuria, lethargy/malaise, headache, confusion, muscular twitching, seizures, coma, respiratory arrest

calcium

magnesium

  • symptoms are mostly neuromuscular with tetany similar to that caused by hypocalcemia, increases cardiac irritability and aggravates arrhythmias (vasodilation, hypotension, occasionally hypertension), mental depression, confusion, delusions, hallucinations, seizures, hyperirritability, tetany, leg and foot cramps, chvostek's sign (facial and muscle spasms induced by tapping branches of the facial nerve)

diseases where there is an excess of these electrolytes (disease)

potassium


  • acute or chronic renal failure, addison's disease, asthma,

    chronic interstitial nephritis, dehydration, hypoaldosteronism, uremia

sodium

  • cushing's syndrome, hyperaldosteronism, burns, diabetes insipidus, heart failure, pulmonary edema, lactic acidosis

calcium

magnesium

  • addison's disease, adrenocortical insufficiency, chronic renal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, multiply myeloma, severe dehydration, systemic lupus erythematosus. tissue trauma, untreated (severe) diabetic ketoacidosis

diseases where there is an decrease of these electrolytes (disease)

potassium

  • alcoholism, anorexia nervosa, chf, crohn's disease, cushing's syndrome, cystic fibrosis, hyperaldosteronism, hypertension, malabsorption, renal artery stenosis, thyrotoxicosis, toxic shock syndrome

sodium

  • addison's disease, chf, hepatic failure, cystic fibrosis, nephrotic syndrome, syndrome of inappropriate secretion of adh, ileus or mechanical bowel obstruction

calcium

magnesium

  • chronic alcoholism, chronic glomerulonephritis, diabetic acidosis, hyperaldosteronism. hypercalcemia.hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone, malabsorption syndrome, severe dehydration, severe loss of body fluids due to diarrhea, starvation or malnutrition, toxemia of pregnancy

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thank you daytonite.

i'm a new student nurse and this information is going right in my binder!

cardigan2

here is some of the information you requested. i have been working on electrolyte charts to post on allnurses for the students but they are not completed yet. i do not have complete information for calcium so you will have to find that information yourself. i suggest you use lab references, the metheny book on fluid and electrolytes (fluid & electrolyte balance: nursing considerations) and a medical disease reference. i also did not give you any nursing interventions. from the manifestations of each of the electrolyte problems i listed for you (and there are so many of them) you should be able to find nursing interventions quite easily. in fact, many interventions will be the opposite of what you do for corresponding increase or decrease of the electrolyte in question.

normal values

potassium
normal adult:

3.5-5.0 meq/liter

3.5-5.0 mmol/liter

normal urine in adult:

26-123 meq/24 hrs

26-123 mmol/24 hrs

panic (critical) values
:

below 2.5 meq/liter

above 6.5 meq/liter

sodium

normal adult:

135-145 meq/liter

(135-145 mmol/liter)

normal urine sodium:

27-287 meq/24 hrs

(27-287 mmol/24 hrs)

panic (critical values)
:

below120 meq/liter

above 160 meq/liter

calcium

normal adult:

8.2-10.2 mg/dl

2.05-2.55 mmol/liter

normal urine in adult:

100-300 mg/24 hrs

2.5-7.5 mmol/24 hrs

panic (critical) values
:

below 7 mg/dl

above 12d mg/dl

magnesium

normal adult:

1.2 - 2 meq/liter

1.6 - 2.6 mg/dl

0.66 - 1.07 mmol/dl

normal urine in adult:

6.0 - 10.0 meq/24 hrs

7.3 - 13.2 mg/24 hrs

3.0 - 5.0 mmol/24 hrs

panic (critical) values
:

below 0.5 meq/liter

below 1.2 mg/dl

above 3 meq/liter

above 4.9 mg/dl

common sources for these electrolytes

potassium

  • vegetables: potatoes, squash, tomatoes, mushrooms, dried beans, lima beans, carrots, spinach, asparagus, broccoli, artichokes

  • fruits: figs, dates, raisins, cantaloupe, bananas, apricots (raw), peaches (raw), pears (raw), apricots (dried), orange juice

  • meats: scallops, veal, chicken, beef

sodium

  • sodium is prevalent in most foods, so dietary deficiency is rare.

calcium

  • natural foods: many of the dried legumes and vegetables, salmon, tofu, rhubarb, sardines, collard greens, spinach, turnip greens, okra, white beans, baked beans, broccoli, peas, brussels sprouts, sesame seeds, bok choy, almonds,


  • foods that are stated as being calcium-fortified: milk, cheese

magnesium

  • whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. magnesium is prevalent in most foods, so dietary deficiency is rare.

causes why these electrolytes decrease

potassium

  • acid/base balances, potassium-wasting diuretics, steroids, sodium-containing antibiotics, where there has been loss through the gi tract, excessive sweating, excessive intake of licorice, laxative abuse, hyperglycemia, diet low in potassium, pica, primary hyperaldosteronism, iv therapy without potassium replacement, injury, burns or surgery

sodium

  • adrenal gland insufficiency, liver malfunction, vomiting and diarrhea, excessive perspiration, fever, excessive water intake, infusion of iv dextrose in water without any electrolytes, low sodium diet, malnutrition/starvation, suctioning, siadh, tap water enemas, use of diuretics

calcium

magnesium

  • giving iv fluids with magnesium salts, chronic diarrhea. chronic use of laxatives, use of loop diuretics and thiazide diuretics, excessive release of adrenocortical hormones, hemodialysis, hypercalcemia, hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, inadequate intake of magnesium, inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone, nasogastric suctioning, prolonged diuretic therapy, severe loss of body fluids due to diarrhea, lactation, sweating, starvation or malnutrition

causes why these electrolyte increase

potassium

  • acidosis, kidneys fail to dump potassium, excessive dietary intake, excessive iv infusion of potassium supplements, cell breakdown (trauma, crush injuries, burns) that release huge amounts of potassium into the intravascular compartment (general circulation)

sodium

  • excessive dietary intake of sodium or water, excessive saline in iv therapy, excessive infusion of isotonic iv solutions, decreased water output due to renal disease, excessive sweating, extensive burns, dehydration, osmotic diuresis, azotemia, long term administration of adrenocortical hormones

calcium

magnesium

  • excess iv replacement, conditions that result in decreased renal excretion of magnesium, overuse of magnesium-containing antacids (di-gel, gaviscon, maalox), hypothyroidism, overuse of laxatives containing magnesium (mom, haley's mo, magnesium citrate), severe dehydration where there is magnesium retention

manifestations of a increase in this electrolyte

potassium

  • tachycardia that changes to bradycardia, cardiac arrest due to hypopolarization and alterations in repolarization, ventricular arrhythmias, on ekg (peaked t waves, widened qrs complex, depressed st segment), hypotension, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, decreased gastric motility, muscle weakness, muscle cramps, flaccid muscle paralysis first in the legs and then in the arms and trunk, paresthesias of he face, tongue, feet and hands; drowsiness, oliguria, cardiac arrest

sodium

  • elevated blood pressure (hypertension), elevated pulse (tachycardia), elevated temperature, elevated respiratory rate, possible dyspnea, increased body weight, bounding peripheral pulses, moist mucous membranes, moist respiratory secretions, crackles in lungs on auscultation, fever, edema (may be pitting), dry skin, thirst, weakness, restlessness/agitation, disorientation, delusions, hallucinations, lethargic when undisturbed, irritable when stimulated, muscle irritability, diminished or absent dtrs, high pitched cry in infants, seizures, coma (due to swelling of brain cells), respiratory arrest due to increased osmotic pressure

calcium

magnesium

  • retards neuromuscular conduction through the heart (widened pr and qt intervals with wide qrs complexes), bradycardia, weak pulse, hypotension, heart block, cardiac arrest, drowsiness, flushing, lethargy, confusion, diminished sensorium, diminished reflexes, muscle weakness, flaccid paralysis, respiratory muscle paralysis that may cause respiratory depression

manifestations of a decrease in this electrolyte

potassium

  • hyporeflexia, weak irregular pulse, arrhythmias with ekg changes (st segment depression, flattened t waves, prominent u waves), orthostatic hypotension, cardiac arrest, decreased bowel sounds, confusion, weakness initially in the legs particularly the quadriceps and then in the arms followed by involvement of the respiratory muscles, shallow respirations, dilute urine, polyuria, polydipsia (thirst), lethargy, fatigue, leg cramps

sodium

  • increased pulse (tachycardia), weak thready peripheral pulses, flat neck veins, increased respiratory rate, decreased blood pressure (hypotension), decreased body weight., thick slurred speech, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps, oliguria, anuria, lethargy/malaise, headache, confusion, muscular twitching, seizures, coma, respiratory arrest

calcium

magnesium

  • symptoms are mostly neuromuscular with tetany similar to that caused by hypocalcemia, increases cardiac irritability and aggravates arrhythmias (vasodilation, hypotension, occasionally hypertension), mental depression, confusion, delusions, hallucinations, seizures, hyperirritability, tetany, leg and foot cramps, chvostek's sign (facial and muscle spasms induced by tapping branches of the facial nerve)

diseases where there is an excess of these electrolytes (disease)

potassium

  • acute or chronic renal failure, addison's disease, asthma,

    chronic interstitial nephritis, dehydration, hypoaldosteronism, uremia

sodium

  • cushing's syndrome, hyperaldosteronism, burns, diabetes insipidus, heart failure, pulmonary edema, lactic acidosis

calcium

magnesium

  • addison's disease, adrenocortical insufficiency, chronic renal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, multiply myeloma, severe dehydration, systemic lupus erythematosus. tissue trauma, untreated (severe) diabetic ketoacidosis

diseases where there is an decrease of these electrolytes (disease)

potassium

  • alcoholism, anorexia nervosa, chf, crohn's disease, cushing's syndrome, cystic fibrosis, hyperaldosteronism, hypertension, malabsorption, renal artery stenosis, thyrotoxicosis, toxic shock syndrome

sodium

  • addison's disease, chf, hepatic failure, cystic fibrosis, nephrotic syndrome, syndrome of inappropriate secretion of adh, ileus or mechanical bowel obstruction

calcium

magnesium

  • chronic alcoholism, chronic glomerulonephritis, diabetic acidosis, hyperaldosteronism. hypercalcemia.hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone, malabsorption syndrome, severe dehydration, severe loss of body fluids due to diarrhea, starvation or malnutrition, toxemia of pregnancy

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

It will be in better shape when I get the charts formatted and the fonts cleared up on them, I promise. I still have two more electrolytes that I have to do on them yet. It's a big project. These are incredibly complex. That's why whole books have been written about them.

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thank you so much for all your replies..I'm almost done..I just needed some review or missing information..^^

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help naman po pathophysiology and drug study for acute glomerulonephritis pls thanks!

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Hey I like that report sheet you've got linked to your post! Thanks

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