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This is the priority assessment for any potassium imbalance.
Cardiac/ECG monitoring
💡 Rationale: Potassium directly affects cardiac conduction.
This is the most accurate daily measurement for fluid status.
Daily weights
💡 Rationale: Best indicator of fluid gain/loss.
This medication is given to stabilize the heart in hyperkalemia.
calcium gluconate
💡 Rationale: Protects cardiac membrane.
Priority for calcium imbalance
Airway & muscle spasms
This type of assessment is most important in sodium imbalances.
Neuro checks
💡 Rationale: Sodium affects brain water balance → neuro changes.
This intervention is essential for all patients at risk for seizures.
seizure precautions
This combination therapy shifts potassium into cells.
insulin and glucose
💡 Rationale: Drives K into cells.
Priority assessment for magnesium imbalance
Reflexes & respirations
This reflex assessment is essential when monitoring magnesium levels.
deep tendon reflexes (DTRs)
💡 Rationale: Magnesium depresses neuromuscular activity.
This urinary parameter must be checked before giving potassium.
urine output
💡 Rationale: Potassium is excreted from kidneys. Prevents potassium buildup → arrhythmias.
This restriction is important for fluid volume excess.
Limit fluids and sodium
High phosphorus acts like which electrolyte imbalance?
➡️ Hypocalcemia
This sign should be assessed in suspected hypocalcemia by tapping the facial nerve.
Chvostek sign
💡 Rationale: Indicates neuromuscular excitability.
This lung assessment is essential in fluid volume excess.
The detection of crackles during lung assessment/auscultating
💡 Rationale: Indicates pulmonary edema.
This is the priority intervention for severe hyponatremia with seizures.
👉 Answer: What is hypertonic saline (3%)?
💡 Rationale: Raises sodium carefully.
Name ALL (4) electrolytes that can cause seizures
Na ↓
Ca ↓
Mg ↓
Phos ↑
This assessment involves inflating a BP cuff to check for carpal spasm.
Trousseau sign
💡 Rationale: Classic for hypocalcemia.
This intervention helps remove excess fluid in fluid volume excess.
diuretics
💡 Rationale: Promotes fluid excretion.
This intervention is used to treat hypercalcemia.”
👉 Answer: What are IV fluids?
💡 Rationale: Dilutes calcium and promotes excretion.
This airway risk is associated with hypocalcemia.
laryngospasm
This respiratory assessment is critical in hypermagnesemia.
respiratory rate/effort
💡 Rationale: High Mg can cause respiratory depression.
This medication reverses the effects of hypermagnesemia.
calcium gluconate
💡 Rationale: Antagonizes magnesium.
These common products should be avoided in hyperkalemia.
Salt substitutes
This condition occurs with NG suction due to metabolic alkalosis and aldosterone, causing potassium to shift into cells and be excreted.
hypokalemia