NR 324 Adult Health Exam 1 Study Guide: Electrolytes, Fluid Balance & ABG Essentials; questions & verified answers

1. Sodium ranges?
Hyponatremia:
Hypernatremia:: NEURO/MUSCLES 136 -
145
Hypo: DEPRESSED & DEFLATED: headache, irritability, confusion, seizures, mus- cle
weakness, muscle cramps, decreased DTR, weight gain

Hyper: BIG & BLOATED: thirst, swollen/dry tongue, restlessness, twitching, seizures, coma
2. Potassium ranges?
Hypokalemia:
Hyperkalemia:: HEART/MUSCLES
3.5 - 5.0
Hypo: LOW & SLOW: fatigue, confusion, muscle weakness, decreased reflexes,
dysrhythmias, FLATTENED T wave, PROMINENT U wave

Hyper: TIGHT & CONTRACTED: peaked T wave, v-fib, muscle weakness, bradycar- dia,
hypotension
3. Calcium ranges?
Hypocalcemia:
Hypercalcemia:: HEART & NERVES (blood, bones, beats)
9.0 - 10.5
Hypo: 3 B's are WEAK & SLOW: seizure, hyperactive DTR, Chvostek's sign (cheek),
Trousseau's sign (carpal)

Hyper: SWOLLEN & SLOW: lethargy, muscle weakness, confusion, hypoactive DTR
4. Phosphorus ranges?
Hypophosphatemia:
Hyperphosphatemia:: INVERSE RELATIONSHIP WITH CALCIUM
3.0 - 4.5
Hypo: CNS depression, confusion, muscle weakness, dysrhythmias

Hyper: RENAL: tetany, muscle cramps, paresthesia, numbness/tingling around mouth, slow
peripheral pulses
5. Magnesium ranges?
Hypomagnesemia:
Hypermagnesemia:: MUSCLES
1.3 - 2.1
Hypo: BUCK WILD: hyperactive CNS, irritability, confusion, increased DTR, cramps,
1/3