T ab le 46 -2 M aj o r E l e ct ro l y te s
Electrolyte
Sodium (Na+): chief electrolyte of ECF
that moves easily between
intravascular and interstitial spaces
and moves across cell membranes by
active transport; influential in many
chemical reactions in the body,
particularly in nervous tissue cells and
muscle tissue cells
Potassium (K+): major cation of ICF
working in reciprocal fashion with
sodium (eg, an excessive intake of
sodium resulting in an excretion of
potassium, and vice versa)
Calcium (Ca2+): most abundant
electrolyte in the body, with up to 99%
of the total amount of calcium in the
Functions
Controls and regulates the volume of
body fluids
Maintains water balance throughout
the body
Is the primary regulator of ECF
volume
Influences ICF volume
Participates in the generation and
transmission of nerve impulses
Is an essential electrolyte in the
sodium-potassium pump
Is the chief regulator of cellular
enzyme activity and cellular water
content
Plays a vital role in such processes
as the transmission of electric
impulses, particularly in nerve, heart,
skeletal, intestinal, and lung tissue;
protein and carbohydrate
metabolism; and cellular building
Assists in regulation of acid-base
balance by cellular exchange with H+
Is necessary for nerve impulse
transmission and blood clotting
Is a catalyst for muscle contraction
Sources and Losses Regulation
The average daily requirements for sodium Sodium normally maintained in the body
not known within a relatively narrow range;
Precisely; 2,400 mg (approx. 1 tsp) as the deviations quickly resulting in a serious
Daily Value cited on the Nutrition Facts health problem
label; RDA for sodium for adults about 500 Sodium concentrations affected by salt,
mg, or 0.5 g as well as water, intake
Sodium found in many foods; typically Sodium conserved through reabsorption
present in large amounts, particularly in in the kidneys, a process stimulated by
bacon, ham, sausage, catsup, mustard, aldosterone
relish, processed cheese, canned The normal extracellular concentration
vegetables, bread, cereal, and salted snack of sodium: 135–145 mEq/L (mmol/L).
foods; also in table salt (sodium chloride;
about 46% sodium)
Sodium excesses eliminated primarily by the
kidneys; small amounts lost in feces and
perspiration
The average daily requirements not known Conservation of cellular K+ by the
precisely; an intake of 50 to 100 mEq daily sodium pump (described later in the
enough to maintain K+ balance chapter) when Na+ is excluded;
Adequate quantities usually in a conservation by kidneys when cellular
wellbalanced diet K+ decreased.
Leading food sources: bananas, peaches, Aldosterone secretion triggering K+
kiwi, figs, dates, apricots, oranges, prunes, excretion in urine
melons, raisins, broccoli, and potatoes. Meat Normal range for serum potassium: 3.5
and dairy products also with adequate to 5 mEq/L
amounts of potassium
Potassium excreted primarily by the kidneys
(no effective method of conserving
potassium); deficits occur if potassium
excretion in excess without being replaced
simultaneously.
Gastrointestinal (GI) secretions contain
potassium in large quantities; also some in
perspiration and saliva
Average daily requirement about 1 g for Increased secretion of parathyroid
adults; higher amounts according to body hormone (PTH), to increase the release
weight required for children and pregnant of calcium from bones into the blood
body found in bones and teeth in
ionized form; close link between
concentrations of calcium and
phosphorus
Is needed for vitamin B12 absorption
and for its use by body cells
Acts as a catalyst for many cell
chemical activities
Is necessary for strong bones and
teeth
Determines the thickness and
strength of cell membranes
and lactating women and to increase reabsorption from
Consumption of 1,500 mg/day kidneys and intestine when ECF levels
recommended for older adults, particularly are decreased
postmenopausal women and men older than A high serum phosphate concentration,
65 years of age resulting in decreased serum calcium
Sources include milk, cheese, and dried level; a low serum phosphate
beans; some present in meats and concentration leading to increased
vegetables serum calcium
The use of calcium stimulated by vitamin D; Calcitonin, a hormone secreted by the
most active form of vitamin D (calcitriol) thyroid gland, exerting an effect on
responsible for promoting calcium calcium opposite that of PTH. Increases
absorption and limiting calcium excretion in calcitonin resulting in reduced serum
when levels are inadequate calcium concentration primarily by
Movement out of bones and teeth to opposing osteoclast bone resorption
maintain normal blood calcium levels, if
necessary. Excretion via urine, feces, bile,
digestive secretions, and perspiration

Magnesium (Mg2+): most of cation
magnesium found within body cells—
heart, bone, nerve, and muscle
tissues; second most important cation
in the ICF
Is important for the metabolism of The average daily adult requirement about Intestinal absorption and excretion by
carbohydrates and proteins 18–30 mEq, with children requiring larger kidneys
Is important for many vital reactions amounts Plasma concentrations of magnesium
involving enzymes Magnesium found in most foods, but ranging from 1.3–2.1 mEq/L, with about
Is necessary for protein and DNA especially in vegetables, nuts, fish, whole one third of that amount bound to
synthesis, DNA and RNA grains, peas, and beans plasma proteins
transcription, and translation of RNA
Maintains normal intracellular levels
of potassium
Helps maintain electrical activity in
nervous tissue membranes and
muscle membranes

Chloride (Cl-): chief extracellular
anion, found in blood, interstitial fluid,
and lymph and in minute amounts in
ICF
Acts with sodium to maintain the The average daily requirements of chloride Normally paired with sodium; exerted
osmotic pressure of the blood unknown and conserved with sodium by the
Plays a role in the body's acid-base Found in foods high in sodium, dairy kidneys
balance products, and meat Chloride deficits lead to potassium
Has important buffering action when deficits, and vice versa
oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange Normal serum chloride levels: from 95–
 in red blood cells 105 mEq/L (mmol/L)
Is essential for the production of
hydrochloric acid in gastric juices

Bicarbonate (HCO3-): an anion that is
the major chemical base buffer within
the body; found in both ECF and ICF
Is essential for acid-base balance;
bicarbonate and carbonic acid
constitute the body's primary buffer
system
Losses possible via diarrhea, diuretics, and Bicarbonate levels regulated primarily
early renal insufficiency; excess possible via by the kidneys
overingestion of acid neutralizers, such as Bicarbonate readily available as a result
sodium bicarbonate of carbon dioxide formation during
metabolism
Normal bicarbonate levels range
between 25 and 29 mEq/L (mmol/L)

Phosphate (PO4-): the major anion in
body cells; a buffer anion in both ICF
and ECF
Helps maintain the body's acid-base Average daily requirements for phosphorus Regulation by PTH and by activated
balance similar to those for calcium vitamin D
Is involved in important chemical Found in most foods but especially in beef, Calcium and phosphate inversely
reactions in the body; eg, phosphorus pork, and dried peas and beans proportional; an increase in one results
is necessary for many B vitamins to Metabolism the same as calcium in a decrease in the other
be effective, helps promote nerve and Normal range of phosphate: 2.5 to 4.5
muscle action, and plays a role in mEq/L (mmol/L)
carbohydrate metabolism
Is important for cell division and for
the transmission of hereditary traits