ELECTROLYTES

www.revolutionpharmd.com
 INTRODUCTION
• These are also known as blood electrolytes.
• They are basically Na, K, Cl, and HCO3 - and present in our
body are minerals like Mg, Ca and trace elements like Cu, Zn,
Cr etc.
• Electrolytes are present in the human body and the balance
of the electrolytes in our bodies is essential for normal
function of our cells and our organs.
• These electrolytes help in the conduction of the cells.

www.revolutionpharmd.com
 SODIUM
• Normal range:136-145 mEq/L or mmol/L.
• Na is the most abundant cation in the extracellular fluid.
• The principle role of Na is the regulation of serum osmolality
as well as fluid and acid-base balance.
• The kidneys are the primary organs responsible for controlling
body Na and water.
• Increase in Na conc. (hypernatremia) may indicate impaired
Na excretion or dehydration. A decrease reflect overhydration,
abnormal Na loss, or decreased Na intake.
• Kidney, heart, or pulmonary disease may have difficulty with
Na and water balance, Na conc is often used as an indicator of
fluid status.
www.revolutionpharmd.com
 Contd..
• Control of Na by the body is accomplished mainly through the
hormones anti diuretic hormone (ADH)and aldosterone.
• Hyponatremia is cozed by depletion of Na (Na-wasting renal
disease, replacement with nonsaline solution, GI losses, renal
losses, loss of Na through the skin) or dilution of serum Na
(cirrhosis, CHF, renal failure, excess water intake).
• Hypernatremia usually results from a loss of free water
(diabetes insipidus, fluid loss through skin, renal, GI), or
hypotonic fluid or through excessive Na intake(admn of
hypertonic IV solns, drugs high in Na content).

www.revolutionpharmd.com
 POTASSIUM
• Normal range:3.5-5.0 mEq/L or mmol/L.
• Potassium is the most abundant intracellular cation.
• Major role is regulation of muscle and nerve excitability. Other
roles include control of intracellular volume, protein synthesis,
enzymatic reaction, and carb metabolism.
• In disorders of K, the CVS is of principle concern as, they are
needed for contraction and conduction.
• The serum K conc is buffered by the body and may be normal
despite total body K loss.K depletion cozes shift of intracellular
K to extracellular fluid to maintain K concs.
• K is regulated by kidneys, aldosterone, arterial pH, insulin,K
intake, Na delivery to the distal tubule.
www.revolutionpharmd.com
 Contd..
• Prolonged deprivation of K result in hypokalemia which may
be due to vomiting, diarrhea, laxative abuse, excess use of
diuretics.
• Hyperkalemia results from decreased renal elimination,
excessive intake, from cellular breakdown and due to
metabolic acidosis.

www.revolutionpharmd.com
 CHLORIDE
• Normal range:96-106 mEq/L or mmol/L.
• Most abundant extracellular anion; its intracellular conc is
low.
• It is influenced by the extracellular fluid balance and acid-base
balance.
• Its absorption is coupled with bicarbonate secretion.
• Hypochloremia is cozed due to metabolic alkalosis or acidosis
cozed by organic or other acids, CRF, fasting, prolonged
diarrhea or vomiting, and diuretic therapy.
• Hyperchloremia can be due to Na water retention, ARF,
dehydration, excess Cl admn.

www.revolutionpharmd.com
 BICARBONATE OR CO2 CONTENT
• Normal range:22-28 mEq/L or mmol/L.
• The CO2 content is the sum of bicarbonate conc and the conc
of CO2 dissolved in the serum.
• The HCO3 /CO2 system is the buffering system to maintain the
pH within the physiological limits.
• They maintain the acid base balance.
• Hypobicarbonatemia is cozed by metabolic acidosis,
hyperventilation, severe diarrhea..
• Hyperbicarbonatemia is cozed by alkalosis, hypoventilation,
pulmonary disease, persistent vomiting.

www.revolutionpharmd.com