NURSING CONCEPT MASTER BANK | EXAM ELABORATION & VERIFIED RATIONALES
© 2026 High-Yield Prep Studio. All Rights Reserved. For individual study use only
⚡ THE ULTIMATE FLUID & ELECTROLYTES CRAM SHEET
High-Yield NCLEX & Med-Surg Exam Frameworks — Perfect for Last-Minute
Review
1. Serum Electrolyte Reference Ranges (Must Memorize)
Sodium (\(Na^{+}\)): \(135 - 145 \text{ mEq/L}\) (Brain / Neurological)
Potassium (\(K^{+}\)): \(3.5 - 5.0 \text{ mEq/L}\) (Heart / Cardiac)
Calcium (\(Ca^{2+}\)): \(9.0 - 10.5 \text{ mg/dL}\) (Muscle / Nerves)
Magnesium (\(Mg^{2+}\)): \(1.3 - 2.1 \text{ mEq/L}\) (Neuromuscular
Reflexes)
Phosphorus (\(PO_{4}^{3-}\)): \(3.0 - 4.5 \text{ mg/dL}\) (Inversely related to
Calcium)
2. Electrolyte Imbalance Cheat Matrix
Key Clinical Priority Nursing
Electrolyte Imbalance Primary Causes
Manifestations Interventions
Restrict fluids; if
Cerebral edema,
Fluid overload, SIADH, severe, infuse
HYPONATREMIA confusion,
excessive \(D5W\) 3% Hypertonic
(\(Na^+ < 135\)) seizures,
infusion. Saline slowly via
lethargy, coma.
central line.
Administer
hypotonic fluids
Extreme thirst,
Diabetes Insipidus, (\(0.45\% \text{
HYPERNATREMIA sticky mucous
severe dehydration, NS}\) or
(\(Na^+ > 145\)) membranes,
heat stroke. \(D5W\)); monitor
hallucinations.
for rapid sodium
drops.
Muscle weakness, Oral/IV
flattened T potassium
Loop diuretics
HYPOKALEMIA waves, supplements
(Furosemide), severe
(\(K^+ < 3.5\)) prominent U (NEVER IV
vomiting/diarrhea.
waves, Digoxin PUSH; max rate
toxicity. \(10 \text{
, NURSING CONCEPT MASTER BANK | EXAM ELABORATION & VERIFIED RATIONALES
© 2026 High-Yield Prep Studio. All Rights Reserved. For individual study use only
mEq/hr}\)
peripherally).
Administer
Muscle cramps, Calcium
Renal failure, burns,
HYPERKALEMIA bradycardia, tall Gluconate first
potassium-sparing
(\(K^+ > 5.0\)) peaked T waves, (stabilizes heart),
diuretics.
wide QRS. then IV Insulin +
Dextrose.
Administer IV
Calcium
Chvostek’s sign
Hypoparathyroidism, Gluconate;
(facial twitch),
HYPOCALCEMIA thyroidectomy, implement
Trousseau’s sign
(\(Ca^{2+} < 9.0\)) multiple blood seizure
(carpopedal
transfusions. precautions;
spasm), tetany.
encourage
Vitamin D.
Aggressive IV
Bone pain, kidney
Normal Saline
Malignancy/bone stones,
hydration, loop
HYPERCALCEMIA cancer, constipation,
diuretics,
(\(Ca^{2+} > 10.5\)) hyperparathyroidism, lethargy, deep
encourage
prolonged immobility. tendon reflex
weight-bearing
depression.
ambulation.
Administer
Hyperactive
Magnesium
reflexes, tremors,
Chronic alcoholism, Sulfate; monitor
HYPOMAGNESEMIA seizures,
malabsorption, GI deep tendon
(\(Mg^{2+} < 1.3\)) Torsades de
suctioning. reflexes
Pointes (lethal
(\(DTRs\))
cardiac rhythm).
frequently.
Stop magnesium
Loss of deep infusions
Renal failure, tendon reflexes, immediately;
HYPERMAGNESEMIA
excessive antacid use, bradypnea (\(RR administer
(\(Mg^{2+} > 2.1\))
\(MgSO_{4}\) toxicity. < 12\)), antidote: IV
hypotension. Calcium
Gluconate.
© 2026 High-Yield Prep Studio. All Rights Reserved. For individual study use only
⚡ THE ULTIMATE FLUID & ELECTROLYTES CRAM SHEET
High-Yield NCLEX & Med-Surg Exam Frameworks — Perfect for Last-Minute
Review
1. Serum Electrolyte Reference Ranges (Must Memorize)
Sodium (\(Na^{+}\)): \(135 - 145 \text{ mEq/L}\) (Brain / Neurological)
Potassium (\(K^{+}\)): \(3.5 - 5.0 \text{ mEq/L}\) (Heart / Cardiac)
Calcium (\(Ca^{2+}\)): \(9.0 - 10.5 \text{ mg/dL}\) (Muscle / Nerves)
Magnesium (\(Mg^{2+}\)): \(1.3 - 2.1 \text{ mEq/L}\) (Neuromuscular
Reflexes)
Phosphorus (\(PO_{4}^{3-}\)): \(3.0 - 4.5 \text{ mg/dL}\) (Inversely related to
Calcium)
2. Electrolyte Imbalance Cheat Matrix
Key Clinical Priority Nursing
Electrolyte Imbalance Primary Causes
Manifestations Interventions
Restrict fluids; if
Cerebral edema,
Fluid overload, SIADH, severe, infuse
HYPONATREMIA confusion,
excessive \(D5W\) 3% Hypertonic
(\(Na^+ < 135\)) seizures,
infusion. Saline slowly via
lethargy, coma.
central line.
Administer
hypotonic fluids
Extreme thirst,
Diabetes Insipidus, (\(0.45\% \text{
HYPERNATREMIA sticky mucous
severe dehydration, NS}\) or
(\(Na^+ > 145\)) membranes,
heat stroke. \(D5W\)); monitor
hallucinations.
for rapid sodium
drops.
Muscle weakness, Oral/IV
flattened T potassium
Loop diuretics
HYPOKALEMIA waves, supplements
(Furosemide), severe
(\(K^+ < 3.5\)) prominent U (NEVER IV
vomiting/diarrhea.
waves, Digoxin PUSH; max rate
toxicity. \(10 \text{
, NURSING CONCEPT MASTER BANK | EXAM ELABORATION & VERIFIED RATIONALES
© 2026 High-Yield Prep Studio. All Rights Reserved. For individual study use only
mEq/hr}\)
peripherally).
Administer
Muscle cramps, Calcium
Renal failure, burns,
HYPERKALEMIA bradycardia, tall Gluconate first
potassium-sparing
(\(K^+ > 5.0\)) peaked T waves, (stabilizes heart),
diuretics.
wide QRS. then IV Insulin +
Dextrose.
Administer IV
Calcium
Chvostek’s sign
Hypoparathyroidism, Gluconate;
(facial twitch),
HYPOCALCEMIA thyroidectomy, implement
Trousseau’s sign
(\(Ca^{2+} < 9.0\)) multiple blood seizure
(carpopedal
transfusions. precautions;
spasm), tetany.
encourage
Vitamin D.
Aggressive IV
Bone pain, kidney
Normal Saline
Malignancy/bone stones,
hydration, loop
HYPERCALCEMIA cancer, constipation,
diuretics,
(\(Ca^{2+} > 10.5\)) hyperparathyroidism, lethargy, deep
encourage
prolonged immobility. tendon reflex
weight-bearing
depression.
ambulation.
Administer
Hyperactive
Magnesium
reflexes, tremors,
Chronic alcoholism, Sulfate; monitor
HYPOMAGNESEMIA seizures,
malabsorption, GI deep tendon
(\(Mg^{2+} < 1.3\)) Torsades de
suctioning. reflexes
Pointes (lethal
(\(DTRs\))
cardiac rhythm).
frequently.
Stop magnesium
Loss of deep infusions
Renal failure, tendon reflexes, immediately;
HYPERMAGNESEMIA
excessive antacid use, bradypnea (\(RR administer
(\(Mg^{2+} > 2.1\))
\(MgSO_{4}\) toxicity. < 12\)), antidote: IV
hypotension. Calcium
Gluconate.
