Electrolytes

Question 1

Sodium (Na)

Answer 1

1. Extracellular fluid
2. Aldosterone reabsorbs sodium
3. Steroids retain sodium
4. salt is sodium chloride which is 40% sodium.

When low:
1. Hyponatremia : overhydration

When high:
1. Hypernatremia: Dehydration

Question 2

Calcium (Ca)

Answer 2

Extracellular fluid

1. 99% found in bones and teeth
2. About 1/2 the remaining calcium is bound to albumin

When low: Hypocalcemia: Vitamin D deficiency.

When high: Hypercalcemia: overactive parathyroid hormone.

Question 3

Chloride (Cl)

Answer 3

Extracellular fluid

1. Maintain acid-base balance

When low: hypochloremia; vomiting.

When high: Hyperchloremia; Kidney disease

Question 4

Potassium (K)

Answer 4

Intracellular

1. Its major function includes water equilibrium and muscle function (specifically cardiac)

when low: Hypokalemia; Excessive fluid loss; refeeding syndrome

When High: Hyperkalemia; Kidney disease; Cardiac arrhythmia

Question 5

Magnesium (Mg)

Answer 5

Intracellular

1. Half of magnesium is in bone and half is in the body’s cells.
2. AIDS in ATP function, fatty acid synthesis and protein synthesis

When low:
Hypomagnesemia; Refeeding syndrome.

When High: Hypermagnesemia; Excess supplement consumption

Question 6

Phosphorus (P)

Answer 6

Intracellular
1. Major component of bones, teeth, DNA, RNA, ATP

When low: Hypophosphatemia; Vitamin D deficiency; Refeeding syndrome.

When high: Hyperphosphatemia; Hypoparathyroidism.