Electrolyte Imbalances

Question 1

Causes of hyponatremia

Answer 1

vomiting, diarrhea, fistulas, sweating, diuretics

Question 2

Symptoms of hyponatremia

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Causes of hypernatremia

Answer 3

fluid deprivation, lack of fluid consumption, diarrhea, excess insensible fluid loss

Question 4

Symptoms of hypernatremia

Answer 4

restlessness, agitation, weakness, disorientation, delusions, hallucinations, seizures

Question 5

Causes of hypokalemia

Answer 5

vomiting, gastric suction, alkalosis, diarrhea, diuretics

Question 6

Symptoms of hypokalemia

Answer 6

muscle weakness, leg cramps, fatigue, paresthesia, dysrhythmias

Question 7

Cause of hyperkalemia

Answer 7

renal failure, hypoaldosteronism, or medications like KCL, heparin, ACE inhibitors, NSAIDs, and potassium-sparing diuretics

Question 8

Symptoms of hyperkalemia

Answer 8

skeletal muscle weakness, paresthesia, paralysis

Question 9

Causes of hypocalcemia

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Symptoms of hypocalcemia

Answer 10

numbness, tingling of fingers, mouth, or feet; muscle cramps, and seizures

Question 11

Causes of hypercalcemia

Answer 11

cancer or hyperparathyroidism

Question 12

Symptoms of hypercalcemia

Answer 12

nausea, vomiting, constipation, bone pain, excessive urination, thirst, confusion, lethargy, or slurred speech

Question 13

Cause of hypomagnesemia

Answer 13

NG suction, diarrhea, chronic alcohol use, tube feeding, sepsis, or burns

Question 14

Symptoms of hypomagnesemia

Answer 14

muscle weakness, tremors, tetany, seizures, arrhythmia, change in mental status, hyperactive DTRs, or respiratory paralysis

Question 15

Cause of hypermagnesemia

Answer 15

renal failure or excessive magnesium intake

Question 16

Symptoms of hypermagnesemia

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Cause of hypophosphatemia

Answer 17

administration of calories, alcohol withdrawal, diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperventilation, absorption problems, or excessive use of diuretics

Question 18

Symptoms of hypophosphatemia

Answer 18

muscle weakness, slurred speech, dysphagia, decreased respiratory effort, paresthesia, irritability, confusion, seizures, or coma

Question 19

Cause of hyperphosphatemia

Answer 19

impaired kidney excretion, or hyperparathyroidism

Question 20

Symptoms of hyperphosphatemia

Answer 20

hyperreflexia, anorexia, muscle weakness, decreased mental status, or dysrhythmia

Question 21

Cause of hypochloremia

Answer 21

severe vomiting, diarrhea, drainage of GI tube, metabolic alkalosis, diuretic therapy, or burns

Question 22

Symptoms of hypochloremia

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Cause of hyperchloremia

Answer 23

metabolic acidosis, hypernatremia, increased chloride retention by kidneys, and hyperparathyroidism

Question 24

Symptoms of hyperchloremia

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Normal range of Sodium

Answer 25

135-145 mEq/L

Question 26

Normal range of Potassium

Answer 26

3.5-5.0 mEq/L

Question 27

Normal range of Calcium

Answer 27

(Total) 8.2-10.3 mg/dL
(Ionized) 4.5-5.1 mg/dL

Question 28

Normal range of Magnesium

Answer 28

1.3-2.3 mEq/L

Question 29

Normal range of Chloride

Answer 29

97-107 mEq/L

Question 30

Normal range of Phosphate

Answer 30

2.5-4.5 mg/dL