High-Yield Nursing Guide: Fluid & Electrolyte Imbalances
Summarizes critical clinical indicators for fluid volume and electrolyte shifts, normal laboratory ranges, and primary nursing interventions for rapid clinical reasoning.
Hypovolemia (Volume Deficit)
Fluid Volume Imbalances
Hypervolemia (Volume Excess)
The Three Fluid Spacings
3rd
Tachycardia
Hypotension
1st
2nd
(Trapped
JVD
Bounding pulses
(Normal)
(Edema)
fluid, e.g.,
ascites,
burns)
Poor skin turgor
Concentrated urine
Crackles
Weight gain
Characterized by tachycardia, hypotension, poor skin turgor,
Signs include JVD, crackles, bounding pulses, and weight
and concentrated urine. Treat with isotonic fluids
gain; manage with diuretics and restrictions.
Critical Electrolyte Shifts
Potassium (K+)
Sodium (Na+)
Hypocalcemia Visual Indicators
Hyperkalemia:
?
Tail peaked T-waves
Hypokalemia:
Altered
Flat T-waves & U-waves
mental
Chvostek's
Confusion
Trousseau's
Seizures
status
(facial twitch)
(carpal spasm)
Primarily affects the brain; watch for confusion,
selzures, and altered mental status.
Electrolyte
Normal Range
Visual Anchor/Focus
Normal Laboratory
Sodium (Na+)
136-145 mEq/L
Brain / Neuro
Reference Ranges for
Potassium (K+)
3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Heart / EKG
Rapid Quiz Recall
Calcium (Ca²⁺)
9.0-10.5 mg/dL
Muscles / Tetany
CC
NotebookLM
