Electrolyte disorders in the cardiac patient.

In conclusion, electrolyte disorders are common in cardiovascular patients and complicate the care of these patients. The vigilant nurse expects electrolyte abnormalities in their patients and assesses for signs and symptoms related to them. The symptomatology of electrolyte disorders can be vague or the patient's symptoms may have multiple causes. Therefore, the nurse should always assess for the most recent laboratory work available for patients and be alert for changes in electrolyte values. Cardiac monitoring is indicated for these patients because many electrolyte disorders can contribute to cardiac arrhythmias or may cause electrocardiographic changes.