NURS 171: Electrolyte Imbalances

Question 1

Hypocalcemia

Answer 1

-Common Causes:
>malabsorption
>vitamin D deficiency

-Signs + Symptoms: 
>numbness + tingling of extremities 
>muscle cramps
>cardiac irritability 
>convulsions
>positive Trousseau's and Chvostek's Signs

Question 2

Hypocalcemia: Common Causes

Answer 2

• malabsorption

- vitamin D deficiency

Question 3

Hypocalcemia: Signs + Symptoms

Answer 3

• numbness + tingling of extremities
• muscle cramps
• convulsions
• cardiac irritability
• positive Trousseau’s and Chvostek’s signs

Question 4

Hypercalcemia

Answer 4

-Common Causes:
>malignant bone disease
>Thiazide diuretics

-Signs + Symptoms:
>muscle weakness

Question 5

Hypercalcemia: Common Causes

Answer 5

• malignant bone disease

- thiazide diuretics

Question 6

Hypercalcemia: Signs + Symptoms

Answer 6

muscle weakness

Question 7

Hypomagnesemia

Answer 7

-Common Causes:
>chronic alcoholism

-Signs + Symptoms:
>disorientation
>dysrhythmias

Question 8

Hypomagnesemia: Common Causes

Answer 8

chronic alcoholism

Question 9

Hypomagnesemia: Signs + Symptoms

Answer 9

• disorientation

- dysrhythmias

Question 10

Hypermagnesemia

Answer 10

-Common Causes:
>renal failure

-Signs + Symptoms:
>hypo-active reflexes

Question 11

Hypermagnesemia: Common Causes

Answer 11

renal failure

Question 12

Hypermagnesemia: Signs + Symptoms

Answer 12

hypoactive reflexes

Question 13

Hypophosphatemia

Answer 13

-Common Causes:
>alcohol withdraw

-Signs + Symptoms:
>paresthesia (“pins + needles”)
>seizures

Question 14

Hypophosphatemia: Common Causes

Answer 14

alcohol withdraw

Question 15

Hypophosphatemia: Signs + Symptoms

Answer 15

• paresthesia (“pins + needles”)

- seizures

Question 16

Hyperphosphatemia

Answer 16

-Common Causes:
>renal failure

-Signs + Symptoms:
>tingling of extremities
>cramping

Question 17

Hyperphosphatemia: Common Causes

Answer 17

renal failure

Question 18

Hyperphosphatemia: Signs + Symptoms

Answer 18

• tingling of extremities

- cramping

Question 19

Hyponatremia

Answer 19

(< 135 mEq/L)
-Common Causes:
>diuretics

-Signs + Symptoms:
>anorexia, nausea, vomiting 
>weakness
>confusion
>muscle cramps or twitching

Question 20

Hyponatremia: Common Causes

Answer 20

diuretics

Question 21

Hyponatremia: Signs + Symptoms

Answer 21

• anorexia, nausea, vomiting
• weakness
• confusion
• muscle cramps or twitching

Question 22

Hypernatremia

Answer 22

(> 145 mEq/L)
-Common Causes:
>excessive sodium intake
>water deprivation
>increased water loss through profuse sweating, heat stroke, or diabetes insipidus 

-Signs + Symptoms:
>thirst
>dry mouth + sticky mucous membranes
>hallucinations
>seizures

Question 23

Hypernatremia: Common Causes

Answer 23

• excessive sodium intake
• water deprivation
• increased water loss through profuse sweating, heat stroke, or diabetes insipidus

Question 24

Hypernatremia: Signs + Symptoms

Answer 24

-thirst
-dry mouth + sticky mucous membranes
If severe:
-hallucinations
-seizures

Question 25

Hypokalemia

Answer 25

(<3.5 mEq/L)
-Common Causes:
>diuretics
>GI fluid loss through vomiting, gastric suction, or diarrhea

-Signs + Symptoms:
>anorexia, nausea, vomiting
>muscle weakness
>dysrhythmias
>flat T wave on ECG

Question 26

Hypokalemia: Common Causes

Answer 26

• diuretics

- GI fluid loss through vomiting, gastric suction, or diarrhea

Question 27

Hypokalemia: Signs + Symptoms

Answer 27

• anorexia, nausea, vomiting
• muscle weakness
• dysrhythmias
• flat T wave on ECG

Question 28

Hyperkalemia

Answer 28

(> 5.0 mEq/L)
-Common Causes:
>renal failure
>high potassium intake coupled with renal insufficiency
>acidosis
>hemolyzed serum sample produces

-Signs + Symptoms:
>muscle weakness
>Dysrhythmias
>tall T waves on ECG

Question 29

Hyperkalemia: Common Causes

Answer 29

• renal failure
• high potassium intake coupled with renal insufficiency
• acidosis
• hemolyzed serum sample produces

Question 30

Hyperkalemia: Signs + Symptoms

Answer 30

• muscle weakness
• dysrhythmias
• tall T waves on ECG