UNDERSTANDING

ELECTROLYTES
Reported by: Dargo, Christine Hazel Yvonne P.
 Electrolytes – What are they?
◦Electrolytes are chemicals that conduct electricity when
mixed with water.

◦They regulate nerve and muscle function, hydrate the

body, balance blood acidity and pressure, and help rebuild
damaged tissue.

◦The muscles and neurons are sometimes referred to as the

“electric tissues” of the body. They rely on the movement
of electrolytes through the fluid inside, outside, or between
cells.
 Electrolytes – What are they?
Expressed in:
Multiquivalents per liter – mEq/L
Milligrams per deciliter- mg/dl
International system unit (SI)
Mmol/L
Six major electrolytes:
1.Calcium
2.Chloride
3.Magnesium
4.Phosphorus
5.Potassium
6.Sodium
◦Major cation found in
extracellular fluid of
teeth and bones

◦Normal serum level of

8.2-10.2 mg/dl
◦ SI: 2.05-2.54 mmol/L
Hypercalcemia
Anorexia
Constipation
Headache
Hypertension
Lethargy
Muscle flaccidity
Nausea and vomiting
Polydipsia
Polyuria
Hypocalcemia
Arrhythmias
Bleeding
Hypotension
Muscle cramps
Muscle tremor
Paresthesia
Tetany
Tonic-clonic seizures
Chloride
◦Major anion found in
extracellular fluid
◦Normal serum level of 100-108
mEq/L
◦SI: 100-108 mmol/L
Hyperchloremia
◦Dyspnea
◦Fluid retention and pitting enema
◦Hypertension
◦Metabolic acidosis
◦Kussmaul’s respiration
◦Lethargy
◦Tachycardia
Hypochloremia
◦Decreased respiration
◦Increased muscle excitability
◦Muscle cramps
◦Muscle twitching
◦Muscle weakness
◦Tetany
◦Major cation found in
intracellular fluid
◦Normal serum level: 1.3-2.1
mg/dl
◦SI: 0.65-1.05 mmol/L
Hypermagnesemia
◦Arrhythmias
◦Coma
◦Drowsiness
◦Hypotension
◦Lethargy
◦Slow weak pulse
◦Vague GI symptoms (Nausea)
◦Vague neuromuscular changes (tremor)
Hypomagnesemia
◦Anorexia ◦Seizures
◦Arrhythmias ◦Tremor
◦Confusion ◦Vasomotor changes
◦Dizziness ◦Nausea
◦Hyperirritability ◦Leg and foot cramps
◦Major anion found in
intracellular fluid
◦Normal serum level: 2,7-4.5
mg/dl
◦SI: 0.87-1.45 mmol/L
Hyperphosphatemia
◦Anorexia
◦Arrhythmias and muscle twitching with sudden rise in
phosphate level
◦Decreased mental status
◦Hyperreflexia
◦Nausea and vomiting
◦Parenthesia
◦Renal Failure
◦Tetany
◦Vague neuroexcitability to tetany and seizures
Hyperphosphatemia
◦Anorexia
◦Lethargy
◦Malaise
◦Muscle weakness
◦Myalgia
◦Parenthesia
◦Severe hypophospathemia
◦Cardiomyopathy
◦Cyanosis
◦Decreased cardiac output
◦Hypotension
◦Respiration failure
◦Rhabdomyolysis
◦Speech defects
◦Major cation in intracellular
fluid
◦Normal serum level: 3.5-5
mEq/L
◦SI: 3.5-5 mmol/L
Hypercalemia
◦Diarrhea
◦Muscle weakness
◦Nausea
◦oliguria
Hypocalemia
◦Decreased blood pressure
◦Decreased GI, Skeletal muscle and
cardiac muscle function
◦Decreased reflexes
◦Muscle weakness or irritability
◦Nausea and vomiting
◦Paralytic ileus
◦Rapid, weak, irregular pulse
◦Major cation in intracellular
fluid
◦normal serum level: 135-145
mEq/L
◦SI: 135-145 mmol/L
Identifying
fluid
imbalance
 Fluid Deficit
◦Decreased central venous pressure
◦Decreased salivation
◦Difficulty forming words
◦Diminished blood pressure (orthostatic
hypotension)
◦Diminished urine output
◦Dry, cracked lips
◦Furrows in tongue
◦Increased blood urea nitrogen level
◦Increased hematocrit
◦Increased serum electrolyte level
◦Increased serum osmolarity
◦Increased, thread pulse rate
◦Lack of moisture in groin and axillae
◦Mental status changes
◦Poor skin turgor
◦Sunken eyes, dry conjuctivae, decreased tearing
◦Thirst
◦Weakness
◦Weight loss
Fluid excess
◦Bounding pulse that isn’t easily obliterated
◦Decreased BUN level
◦Decreased hematocrit
◦Decreased serum electrolyte level
◦Dyspnea
◦Edema
◦Elevated BP
◦Fuller-than-normal cheeks
◦Increased Respiratory rate
◦Jugular vein distention
◦Moist crackles or rhonchi on
auscultation
◦Periorbital edema
◦Puffy eyelid
◦Reduced serum osmolality
◦Slow emptying of hand vein when the
hand is raised