Electrolyte Abnormality |
Causes |
Clinical Features |
Management |
Hyponatremia (Low Sodium) |
- SIADH
- Diuretic use
- Heart failure
- Liver disease
- Renal disease
|
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Headache
- Seizures (severe)
|
- Fluid restriction
- Correct underlying cause
- Hypertonic saline (for severe cases)
|
Hypernatremia (High Sodium) |
- Dehydration
- Diabetes insipidus
- Hypertonic saline use
|
- Thirst
- Confusion
- Seizures (severe)
- Coma (severe)
|
- Oral or IV hypotonic fluids
- Correct slowly to avoid cerebral edema
|
Hypokalemia (Low Potassium) |
- Diuretic use
- Vomiting/Diarrhea
- Hyperaldosteronism
|
- Muscle weakness
- Cramps
- Arrhythmias
|
- Oral or IV potassium supplementation
- Treat underlying cause
|
Hyperkalemia (High Potassium) |
- Renal failure
- ACE inhibitors/ARBs
- Potassium-sparing diuretics
|
- Muscle weakness
- Arrhythmias
- Numbness/tingling
|
- Calcium gluconate (to protect heart)
- Insulin with glucose
- Sodium bicarbonate (if acidosis)
- Dialysis (if severe)
|
Hypocalcemia (Low Calcium) |
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Renal failure
|
- Tetany
- Muscle cramps
- Numbness/tingling
- Seizures (severe)
|
- Oral or IV calcium
- Vitamin D supplementation
- Treat underlying cause
|
Hypercalcemia (High Calcium) |
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Malignancy
- Thiazide diuretics
|
- Polyuria
- Polydipsia
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Confusion
|
- IV fluids
- Bisphosphonates
- Loop diuretics
- Treat underlying cause
|