Electrolyte Disorders

Question 1

vomiting, diarrhea, fistulas,
sweating, or as the result of the
use of diuretics

Answer 1

Hyponatremia

Question 2

Fluid deprivation, lack of fluid 
consumption (such as in patients 
who cannot perceive, respond to, 
or communicate thirst, diarrhea, 
and excess insensible water loss 
(hyperventilation, burns)

Answer 2

Hypernatremia

Question 3

confusion, hypotension, edema,
muscle cramps and weakness,
and dry skin

Answer 3

Hyponatremia

Question 4

Severe: increasing intracranial 
pressure, which may include 
lethargy, muscle twitching, focal 
weakness, hemiparesis, and 
seizures; death may occur

Answer 4

Hyponatremia

Question 5

The cells of the central nervous 
system are especially affected, 
resulting in signs of neurologic 
impairment, including 
restlessness, weakness, 
disorientation, delusion, and 
hallucinations.

Answer 5

Hypernatremia

Question 6

vomiting, gastric suction,
alkalosis, or diarrhea, or as the
result of the use of diuretics

Answer 6

Hypokalemia

Question 7

muscle weakness and leg
cramps, fatigue, paresthesias,
and dysrhythmias

Answer 7

Hypokalemia

Question 8

renal failure, hypoaldosteronism, 
or the use of certain medications 
such as heparin, angiotensin-converting 
enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, 
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory 
drugs (NSAIDs), and diuretics

Answer 8

Hyperkalemia

Question 9

Nerve conduction as well as 
muscle contractility can be 
affected. Skeletal muscle 
weakness and paralysis may 
occur. A variety of cardiac 
irregularities may result, 
including cardiac arrest

Answer 9

Hyperkalemia

Question 10

inadequate calcium intake,
impaired calcium absorption, and
excessive calcium loss

Answer 10

Hypocalcemia

Question 11

numbness and tingling of fingers, 
mouth, or feet; tetany; muscle 
cramps; and seizures; positive 
Chvostek’s sign; positive 
Trousseau’s sign

Answer 11

Hypocalcemia

Question 12

cancer and hyperparathyroidism

Answer 12

Hypercalcemia

Question 13

nausea, vomiting, constipation,
bone pain, excessive urination,
thirst, confusion, lethargy, and
slurred speech. Severe can result in cardiac arrest

Answer 13

Hypercalcemia

Question 14

nasogastric suction, diarrhea,
withdrawal from alcohol,
administration of tube feedings or
parenteral nutrition, sepsis, or burns

Answer 14

Hypomagnesemia

Question 15

muscle weakness, tremors, tetany, 
seizures, heart block, change in 
mental status, hyperactive deep 
tendon reflexes (DTRs), and 
respiratory paralysis

Answer 15

Hypomagnesemia

Question 16

renal failure when the kidneys fail to

excrete this electrolyte or from excessive antacid/laxative intake

Answer 16

Hypermagnesemia

Question 17

nausea, vomiting, weakness, flushing,
lethargy, loss of DTRs, respiratory
depression, coma, and cardiac arrest

Answer 17

Hypermagnesemia

Question 18

can result from administration of 
calories to malnourished patients, 
alcohol withdrawal, diabetic 
ketoacidosis, hyperventilation, insulin 
release, absorption problems, and 
diuretic use

Answer 18

Hypophosphatemia

Question 19

irritability, fatigue, weakness,
paresthesias, confusion, seizures, and
coma

Answer 19

Hypophosphatemia

Question 20

impaired kidney excretion and

hypoparathyroidism

Answer 20

Hyperphosphatemia

Question 21

tetany, anorexia, nausea, muscle

weakness, and tachycardia

Answer 21

Hyperphosphatemia

Question 22

severe vomiting and diarrhea,
drainage of gastric fluid (GI tube),
metabolic alkalosis, diuretic therapy,
and burns

Answer 22

Hypochloremia

Question 23

hyperexcitability of muscles, tetany,
hyperactive DTRs, weakness, and
muscle cramps

Answer 23

Hypochloremia

Question 24

metabolic acidosis, head trauma,
increased perspiration, excess
adrenocortical hormone production,
and decreased glomerular filtration

Answer 24

Hyperchloremia

Question 25

tachypnea, weakness, lethargy,
diminished cognitive ability,
hypertension, decreased cardiac
output, dysrhythmias, and coma

Answer 25

Hyperchloremia