Registered Nurse

⭐️ Essential Electrolytes – High-Yield Review ⸻ 1️⃣ Potassium (K⁺) ⚡ ➊ Normal Range • 3.5–5.0 mEq/L ➋ Key Functions • Cardiac electrical activity ❤️ • Skeletal muscle contraction 💪 • Fluid balance 💧 • Blood pressure regulation ➌ Clinical Correlations • ⬆️ K⁺ → Arrhythmias, peaked T waves • ⬇️ K⁺ → Weakness, U waves ⸻ 2️⃣ Sodium (Na⁺) 🌊 ➊ Normal Range • 135–145 mEq/L ➋ Key Functions • Blood volume regulation 🩸 • Blood pressure control • Fluid balance ➌ Clinical Correlations • ⬆️ Na⁺ → Dehydration, confusion • ⬇️ Na⁺ → Seizures, cerebral edema ⸻ 3️⃣ Magnesium (Mg²⁺) 🧬 ➊ Normal Range • 1.3–2.1 mEq/L ➋ Key Functions • Muscle relaxation 💪 • Immune function 🛡️ • Glucose metabolism • Bone health 🦴 ➌ Clinical Correlations • ⬆️ Mg²⁺ → Hyporeflexia, bradycardia • ⬇️ Mg²⁺ → Tetany, arrhythmias ⸻ 4️⃣ Calcium (Ca²⁺) 🦴 ➊ Normal Range • 8.5–10.5 mg/dL ➋ Key Functions • Neuronal stability 🧠 • Bone mineralization • Heart rate regulation ❤️ • Coagulation cascade 🩸 ➌ Clinical Correlations • ⬆️ Ca²⁺ → Stones, bones, groans • ⬇️ Ca²⁺ → Tetany, seizures ⸻ 💡 Clinical Pearl ➤ Electrolytes are interdependent — always correct Mg²⁺ first when K⁺ is low