A client with a history of chronic alcoholism is brought to the emergency department after falling. He is disoriented, with periods of calm and disruptiveness. He is having dysrhythmias on the cardiac monitor. What electrolyte imbalance could be causing the problem?

Magnesium, potassium, calcium and sodium

Explanation:

Chronic alcoholism induces renal tubular dysfunction leading to loss of renal Magnesium called Hypomagnesemia. This state often induce peripheral resistance to parathyroid hormone leading to hypocalcemia (reduction of calcium). There is equally loss of or reduction in gastrointestinal absorption causing reduction in phosphate. Magnesium reduction also contribute to reduction in potassium. The reduction in magnesium has been attributed to dysrhythmias