Electrolyte Showdown

HIGH vs LOW, know it for the test Labs that save lives,

remember the rest

Sodium low makes the brain swell Confusion,

seizures, watch out well High sodium,

brain starts to shrink Thirst and confusion in a blink

LOW is hypo, HIGH is hyper Know the signs or be a

fighter Electrolytes the big four Na K Ca Mg keep the score

Potassium low weak heart and loose U waves flat T you can’t

refuse High K danger peaked T waves call Dysrhythmias that can end

it all

Calcium low excited nerves Tingling tetany Chvostek serves High calcium lazy and

slow

Constipation weakness stones you know

Magnesium jumpy when it’s low

Tremors reflexes torsades go High magnesium slow and depressed Hypotension breathing stressed

Digoxin toxic D I G

Dysrhythmias vision GI

Lithium salt water watch the level

Dehydration makes it treble

Warfarin INR two to three Heparin PTT you see Glucose high or

low stay alert

ABGs ROME it won’t hurt