[RIpisces]

How important is it to know all about acidosis/alkalosis. I'm trying to understand it by reading 'Fluids & Electrolytes Made Incredibly Easy."
I don't think it's incredibly easy though. I never see much about acidosis/alkalosis on the posts. What about ROME (respiratory opposite, metabolic equal), what are they equal and opposite of?

[Franciscangypsy]

I just covered this last semester (I am now entering my junior year of nursing school) -- let's see how much I remember...

There are two kinds of acidosis and alkalosis: metabolic and respiratory. In respiratory acidosis, I believe that the CO2 levels are high, while in respiratory alkalosis, the CO2 levels are low.

In metabolic acidosis, bicarb is low, while bicarb is high in metabolic alkalosis. CO2 levels remain the same.

Hopefully, someone more experienced will correct my mistakes if my advice is wrong.

It is important to know about acidosis and alkalosis b/c it can inform you if the lungs are working properly and hence if the rest of the body is (since the body is sluggish without proper O2 levels). It goes the same for metabolic acidosis and alkalosis -- too much or too little of a bicarb means something is out of whack in the body and that the person needs to be checked out since he obviously isn't metabolizing bicarb properly.

This is what I recall after months of not touching a nursing school book. Hopefully I have not led you too far astray!

[marilynmom]

Originally Posted by RIpisces

How important is it to know all about acidosis/alkalosis. I'm trying to understand it by reading 'Fluids & Electrolytes Made Incredibly Easy."
I don't think it's incredibly easy though. I never see much about acidosis/alkalosis on the posts. What about ROME (respiratory opposite, metabolic equal), what are they equal and opposite of?

I use ROME every SINGLE day working in the ICU (even as a student). Understanding fluids and electrolytes is very important in nursing, I know it is where I work. Like I said I use it every single day. If your K levels are too high, your heart will be affected and that causes all sorts of problems. That is just one instance.

For me, just reading a book never really makes sense. It all came together for me once I started working in the PICU and seeing it directly day after day (I worked a lot this summer!), then it all clicked for me and made much much more sense. I also got my lab's down this summer as well (K, BUN, etc) that I never seemed to be able to memorize before (because I had nothing to reference them to).

[Agenyc]

I just found out that the very book you are talking about is required for my program!!
I start NS in a couple of weeks, but I bought that book months ago after reading several post on what would be worth studying ahead of time.
(that doesn't mean I actually did learn it though.......)

So, as I understand it: it is really important--but certainly NOT incredibly easy!