Causes of Electrolyte Imbalances

Question 1

Inadequate intake
N/V
Diarrhea
Meds such as diuretics
Bleeding
Fever

Answer 1

Hypovolemia

Question 2

Kidney failure
Congestive heart failure
Liver failure or cirrhosis
Hormonal changes
IV fluids

Answer 2

Hypervolemia

Question 3

Increased sodium intake (excess oral sodium ingestion or administration of IV fluids w/sodium (Hypertonic IVs))
Increased water loss (fever, watery diarrhea, diabetes insipidus, excessive diaphoresis)
Decreased sodium excretion

Answer 3

Hypernatremia

Question 4

Increased sodium excretion (excessive diaphoresis, diuretics, vomiting, and diarrhea)
Inadequate sodium intake (fasting, NPO, low salt diet)
Kidney disease
Heart Failure
Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone secretion

Answer 4

Hyponatremia

Question 5

Excessive potassium intake
Rapid infusion of potassium IV infusions
Decreased potassium excretion
Potassium-retaining diuretics
Kidney Disease
Tissue damage
Adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s Disease)
Acidosis
Hyperuricemia
Hyper catabolism

Answer 5

Hyperkalemia

Question 6

Actual total body potassium loss
Inadequate potassium intake (NPO, fasting)
Movement of potassium from the ECF to ICF (alkalosis)
Dilution of serum potassium (water intoxication, IV therapy w/ potassium, deficient solutions)

Answer 6

Hypokalemia

Question 7

Increased calcium absorption
Decreased calcium excretion
Kidney disease
Thiazide diuretics
Increased bone resorption of calcium (Hyperparathyroidism/Hyperthyroidism, Malignancy, Hemoconcentration)

Answer 7

Hypercalcemia

Question 8

Inhibition of calcium absorption from GI tract
Increased calcium excretion (kidney disease, polyuric phase, diarrhea, and steatorrhea)
Conditions that decrease the ionized fraction of calcium

Answer 8

Hypocalcemia

Question 9

Increased magnesium intake (magnesium-containing antacids and laxatives, excessive administration of magnesium IV)
Renal insufficiency = decreased renal excretion of magnesium

Answer 9

Hypermagnesemia

Question 10

Insufficient magnesium intake (malnutrition/ vomiting/ diarrhea, malabsorption syndrome, Celiac and Crohn’s disease)
Increased magnesium excretion (diuretics or chronic alcoholism)
Intracellular movement of magnesium (hyperglycemia, insulin administration, sepsis)

Answer 10

Hypomagnesemia