Electrolyte Imbalance

Question 1

What is the mnemonic for symptoms of hyponatremia (Na⁺ <135)?⁉️

Answer 1

🚩 SALT LOSS
S – Stupor/coma
A – Anorexia (nausea, vomiting)
L – Lethargy
T – Tendon reflexes decreased
L – Limp muscles
O – Orthostatic hypotension
S – Seizures
S – Stomach cramps

Question 2

What is the mnemonic for hypernatremia (Na⁺ >145) signs?⁉️

Answer 2

🚩 FRIED
F – Fever (low grade), flushed skin
R – Restlessness
I – Increased fluid retention
E – Edema
D – Decreased urine output, dry mouth

Question 4

What is the mnemonic for hypokalemia (K⁺ <3.5) features?⁉️

Answer 4

🚩 A SIC WALT
A – Alkalosis
S – Shallow respirations
I – Irritability
C – Confusion, drowsiness
W – Weakness, fatigue
A – Arrhythmias (U wave)
L – Lethargy
T – Thready pulse

Question 5

What is the mnemonic for hyperkalemia (K⁺ >5.0) signs?⁉️

Answer 5

🚩 MURDER
M – Muscle cramps
U – Urine abnormalities (oliguria)
R – Respiratory distress
D – Decreased cardiac contractility
E – ECG changes (peaked T, wide QRS)
R – Reflexes diminished

Question 6

What is the mnemonic for hypocalcemia (Ca²⁺ <8.5)?⁉️

Answer 6

🚩 CATS go numb
C – Convulsions
A – Arrhythmias
T – Tetany
S – Spasms and stridor
• Numbness in fingers

Question 7

What is the mnemonic for hypercalcemia (Ca²⁺ >10.5) features?⁉️

Answer 7

🚩 Stones, Bones, Groans, Thrones, Psychiatric Overtones
• Kidney stones
• Bone pain
• Abdominal pain (groans)
• Polyuria/polydipsia (thrones)
• Confusion, fatigue, depression

🧠 Mnemonics
• Hypercalcemia: “Stones (renal), Bones (pain), Groans (GI), Thrones (polyuria), Psychiatric Overtones”
• Hypocalcemia signs: ➡️ Chvostek (cheek tap) & Trousseau (carpopedal spasm)

Question 8

What are the features, mnemonic, and indications for treatment of hypomagnesemia (Mg²⁺ <1.5 mg/dL)⁉️

Answer 8

🚩 Features:
• Tremors, tetany, seizures
• Arrhythmias (esp. torsades de pointes)
• Muscle weakness
• Hypokalemia or hypocalcemia that won’t correct

🧠 Mnemonic – “TWITCHY”
T – Torsades
W – Weakness
I – Irritability
T – Tremors
C – Cramps
H – Hypocalcemia
Y – You need Mg²⁺ to fix K⁺!

💊 Indications to treat:
• Mg²⁺ <1.2 mg/dL (always treat)
• Torsades or seizures regardless of level
• Refractory hypoK⁺ or hypoCa²⁺

Question 9

What are the features, mnemonic, and treatment indications for hypophosphatemia (PO₄³⁻ <2.5 mg/dL)⁉️
🚩 Features:
• Muscle weakness, bone pain
• Hemolysis
• Rhabdomyolysis
• Respiratory failure

🧠 Mnemonic – “LOW PHOS = LOW POWER”
• Low ATP → muscle & diaphragm weakness
• Low O₂ delivery → hemolysis
• Low bone strength → rickets/osteomalacia

💊 Indications to treat:
• PO₄³⁻ <1.0 mg/dL
• Respiratory weakness or hemolysis
• Refeeding syndrome prevention

Question 10

Q7: Compare the main causes of hypo- and hyper- states of K⁺, Na⁺, and Ca²⁺⁉️

Answer 10

🚩 Hypokalemia: Diuretics, vomiting, insulin, alkalosis
🚩 Hyperkalemia: Renal failure, ACEi, acidosis, rhabdomyolysis

🚩 Hyponatremia: SIADH, CHF, vomiting, diuretics
🚩 Hypernatremia: Dehydration, diabetes insipidus, diarrhea

🚩 Hypocalcemia: Hypoparathyroidism, CKD, vitamin D deficiency
🚩 Hypercalcemia: Hyperparathyroidism, malignancy, thiazidesa

Question 10

Invest,,ttt

Answer 10

Question 12

🧠 Mnemonics for Fast Recall
• Hypocalcemia signs: 👉🏼 Chvostek (cheek twitch), Trousseau (carpopedal spasm)
• Hypercalcemia: “Stones, Bones, Groans, Thrones, Psychiatric Overtones”
• Hyperkalemia ECG: “Tents + Widening + Arrest”
• Hyponatremia: “Brain flooded” = cerebral edema symptoms
• Hypernatremia: “Brain dried” = dehydration symptoms

Answer 12

✅ Quick Algorithm Mnemonics
• K⁺ high? → CBIGKD
👉🏼 Calcium gluconate
👉🏼 Beta-agonist
👉🏼 Insulin + glucose
👉🏼 Glucose
👉🏼 Kayexalate
👉🏼 Dialysis
• Na⁺ low? → Rate of correction = key (slow for chronic, fast only if seizures)
• Ca²⁺ low? → Replace + Vitamin D + Check Mg²⁺