Major Serum Electrolytes Concentration and Functions

Electrolyte Reference Range Functions Increased Decreased

Sodium (Na+) 136 – 145 mEq/L  Maintenance of plasma Hypernatremia Hyponatremia
and interstitial osmolarity  Thirst  Anorexia, nausea,
 Generation and  Increased temperature vomiting, abdominal
transmission of action  Dry, sticky mucous cramping and
potentials membranes diarrhea
 Maintenance of acid-base  Restlessness  Headache
balance  Weakness  Altered mental status
 Maintenance of  Altered mental status  Muscle cramps,
electroneutrality  Decreasing level of weakness, and
consciousness tremors
 Muscle twitching  Seizures
 Seizures  Coma

Potassium (K+) 3.5 – 5.0 mEq/L  Regulation of intracellular Hyperkalemia Hypokalemia

osmolarity  Tall, peaked T waves,  Arrythmias
 Maintenance of electrical widened QRS  ECG changes
membrane excitability  Arrythmias  Nausea and Vomiting
 Maintenance of plasma  Cardiac arrest  Anorexia
acid-base balance  Nausea and Vomiting  Decreased bowel
 Abdominal cramping sounds
 Diarrhea  Muscle weakness
 Muscle weakness  Leg cramps
 Paresthesia
 Flaccid paralysis
Calcium (Ca2+) 9.0 – 10.5 mg/dL  Co factor in blood clotting Hypercalcemia Hypocalcemia
cascade  Muscle weakness,  Tetany
 Excitable membrane fatigue  Paresthesia
stabilizer  Decreased deep tendon  Muscle spasm
 Adds strength /density to reflexes  Positive Chvostek’s
 bones and teeth  Personality changes sign
 Essential element in  Altered mental status  Positive Trousseau’s
cardiac, skeletal, and  Decreasing level of sign
smooth muscle consciousness  Laryngospasm
contraction  Abdominal pain  Seizures
 Constipation  Anxiety, confusion,
 Anorexia, nausea, psychoses
vomiting  Decreased cardiac
 Arrhythmias output
 Hypertension  Hypotension
 Polyuria, thirst  Arrhythmias
 Abdominal cramping
 Diarrhea
Chloride (Cl-) 98 – 106 mEq/L  Maintenance of plasma Hyperchloremia Hypochloremia
acid-base balance  Tachypnea  Hyperexcitability of
 Maintenance of plasma  Weakness muscles,
electroneutrality  Lethargy  tetany,
 Formation of hydrochloric  Deep, rapid respiration  hyperactive deep
acid  Diminished cognitive tendon reflexes,
ability  twitching
 muscle cramps
 cardiac dysrhythmias
 slow shallow
respirations

Magnesium (Mg2+) 1.3 – 2.1 mEq/L  Excitable membrane Hypermagnesemia Hypomagnesemia

stabilizer
 Essential in cardiac,
skeletal, and smooth
muscle contraction
 Co-factor in blood clotting
cascade
 Co-factor in carbohydrate
 Muscle weakness
 Depressed deep tendon
reflexes
 Nausea and vomiting
 Hypotension
 Bradycardia
 Cardiac arrest
 Hyperactive reflexes,
tremors
 Tetany, seizures
 Dysphagia
 Anorexia, nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea
 Tachycardia
 metabolism  Respiratory depression  Arrhythmias
 Co-factor in DNA and  Coma  Hypertension
Protein synthesis  Mood and personality
changes
 Paresthesia
Phosphorus 3.0-4.5 mg/dL  Activation of B-complex Hyperphosphatemia Hypophosphatemia
vitamins  Circumoral and  Paresthesia
 Formation of adenosine peripheral paresthesia  Muscle weakness
triphosphate  Muscle spasm  Muscle pain and
 Co-factor in carbohydrate,  Tetany tenderness
protein, and lipid  Soft tissue calcification  Confusion, decreasing
metabolism level of consciousness
 Seizures
 Bone pain,
osteomalacia
 Anorexia
 Dysphagia
 Decreased bowel
sound
 Possible acute
respiratory failure