Electrolyte Mnemonics

Question 1

Hyponatremia (No Na+) (Salt Loss)

Answer 1

• Causes (No Na+)
(N) Na+ excretion from GI loss, diuretics
(O) overload of fluid from CHF, hypotonic solution

(N) Na+ intake low
(A) antidiuretic hormone over secretion (retains fluids–> dilutes sodium)

• Symptoms (Salt loss)
(S) seizures, stupor
(A) Ab cramps, attitude change (confusion)
(L) lethargy
(T T)rouble concentrating (confusion)

(L) Lost appetite
(O) orthostatic Hypotension
(S) skeletal muscle weakness
(S) spasms

Question 2

Hypernatremia (High Salt) (Fried)

Answer 2

• Causes (high salt)
(H) high water loss 
(I) increased Na+ intake 
(G)
(H) hypertonic solutions

(S)
(A) aldosterone overproduction
(L) lost fluids
(T)

• Symptoms (fried)
(F) fever, flushed skin
(R) restlessness, really agitated
(I) increased BP/fluid retention
(E) edema
(D) dry mouth/skin, decreased urine output

Question 3

Hypokalemia (Ditch) (A Dip Walt) [slow and low]

Answer 3

• Causes (Ditch)
(D) drugs [diuretics, laxative]
(I) Inadequate potassium intake
(T) too much water
(C)
(H) heavy fluid loss 

• Symptoms (A Dip Walt)
(A) Anorexia

(D) dysrhythmias
(I) intenstinal motility slows
(P) paresthesia

(W) weak muscles/fatigue
(A) arrhythmias
(L) lethargy
(T) thready pulse

Question 4

Hyperkalemia (Cared) (Murder)

Answer 4

• Causes (Cared)
(C) cell movement of K+ (ICF->ECF) from burns, trauma, etc
(A) adrenal insufficiency
(R) renal failure
(E) excessive K+ intake
(D) drugs, diuretics [potassium sparing]

• Symptoms (Murder)
(M) muscle cramps
(U) urine abnormalities
(R) respiratory distress
(D) dysrhythmias/ decreased cardiac contractility (thready pulse, low BP)
(E) ekg
(R) rhythm change

Question 5

Hypocalcemia (Low calcium) (Cats)

Answer 5

• Causes (Low calcium)
L low parathyroid hormone (hypoparathyroidism)
O oral intake inadequate
W wound drainage (GI–>Ca+ absorbed here)

C 
A acute pancreatitis/alkalosis
L low Vitamin D (Ca+ absorption)
C
I increased P-
U
M malabsorption 

• Symptoms (Cats)
C convulsions
A arrhythmias
T tetany
S spasms --> "P" paresthesia

Question 6

Hypercalcemia (High cal) (Wack)

Answer 6

• Causes (high cal)
H hyperparathyroidism
I immobility

C Ca+ excretion decreased via Thiazide diuretic
A mAlignancy
L low P-

• Symptoms (Wack)
W weakness
A anorexia 
C constipation
K kidney stones

Question 7

Hypomagnesemia (Low mag) (N-mind/twitching)

Answer 7

• Causes (low mag)
L low intake of Mg++
O
W

M malabsorption
A alcoholism
G gastric suction

• Symptoms (n-mind)
N nueromuscular irritability
M mood changes
I irritability
N
D dysrhythmias, disorientation

Question 8

Hypermagnesemia (Rae) (Lethargic)

Answer 8

• Causes (rae)
R renal failure
A adrenal insufficiency
E excessive replacement

• Symptoms
L lethargy
E
T tedon reflex down
H hypotension
A arrhythmias 
R respiratory arrest
G GI issues
I impaired breathing
C cardia (Brady)

Question 9

Hypophosphatemia (DARR) (JIPSC)

Answer 9

• Causes (Darr)
D diabetic ketoacidosis
A alcohol withdrawal
R respiratory acidosis 
R refeeding after starvation

• Symptoms (JIPSC)
J joint stiffness
I impaired tissue oxygenation
P paresthesia 
S seizures
C cardiomyopathy

Question 10

Hyperphosphatemia (Cher) (CT)

Answer 10

• Causes (Cher)
C chemotherapy 
H hyperthyroidism
E excessive use of P- based laxative
R renal failure

• Symptoms (Ct)
C calcification in soft tissue
T tetany