Electrolytes

• Sodium:


  controls and regulates volume of body fluids.
• Potassium:


  chief regulator of cellular enzyme activity and water content.
• Calcium:


  nerve impulse, blood clotting, muscle contraction, B12 absorption.
• Magnesium: 


  metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins, vital actions involving enzymes.
• Chloride:


  maintains osmotic pressure in blood, produces hydrochloric acid.
• Phosphate:


  involved in important chemical reactions in the body, cell division, and hereditary traits.
• Sodium levels


  135-145
• Potassium levels


  3.5-5.0
• Magnesium


  1.3-2.1
• Chloridelevels


  97-107
• Calcium levels


  9.0-10.5
• Phosphate levels


  3.0-4.5
• Hyperkalemia: heart tight & contracted, diarrhea, increased DTR, muscle weakness.
• Hypokalemia: heart low & slow, decreased DTR, muscle cramps, constipation.
• Hypernatremia: red and rosy skin, fever, increased thirst, nausea/vomiting, dry tongue.
• Hyponatremia: seizures, increased HR, weak pulse, respiratory arrest, coma.
• Hyperchloridemia: same as sodium.
• Hypochloridemia: same as sodium, fever.
• Hypermagnesemia: calm heart, decreased vital signs, decreased DTR, decreased RR, decreased bowel sounds.
• Hypomagnesemia: increased HR, VFIB, increased DTR, nystagmus, diarrhea.
• Hypercalcemia: constipation, bone pain, kidney stones, decreased DTR.
• Hypocalcemia: diarrhea, weak bones, Chvostek's sign (smile when cheek is touched), Trousseau's sign (arm twitches w/ BP cuff).
• Hyperphosphatemia: Chvostek's sign (smile when cheek is touched), Trousseau's sign (arm twitches w/ BP cuff), diarrhea, weak bones & beats.
• Hypophosphatemia: constipation, decreased DTR, decreased heart rate, decreased respiration rate, increased blood pressure.