Fluidnd Electrolytes EEEEK!!!

[thekingandhislady]

Ok so I'm in second semester just starting fluids/electrolytes and then on to acid/base balance. I have one week to learn all of this...the test is on Friday and we just started this Unit yesterday...so 7 days. Any advice??? I've begun by starting on fluid/electroly balance and now I'm working on basic imbalances...I figure once I'm done with that I can move on to calcium. magnesium, ect. Then on to acid/base balance and metabolic/respiratory acidosis/alkalosis. Just typing all of this makes me tired and gives me a headache! I'm terrified!

[medicalma'am]

I would start with the kidneys. I took an online pharmacology class this summer and by starting with the kidneys, all of the fluid, electrolyte and acid base balance part of the class fell into place for me. Metabolic compensation was the hardest thing for me, but it all came together.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

work on it in sections and if you start to get bleary eyed with one subject move to another or take a break. this stuff can be confusing, but you have to get a good understanding of it.

here are some links that might help. never hurts to see what other authors have to say about the same subject.

• http://www.indstate.edu/mary/fluidlytecf/index.htm - a slide show presentation on fluid and electrolyes. covers sodium, potassium and calcium and treatment including iv fluids.
  
• http://www.indstate.edu/mary/n205.htm - this is the home page for the above site. the link to the above is at the bottom of this page. there are more links there to information on fluids and electrolytes including lecture note outlines
  
• http://connection.lww.com/products/taylor5e/clinsim/tutorial.html - fluid and electrolytes tutorial from taylor's fundamentals of nursing student resources website. you will need to register and create a user name and id, but the tutorial is free.
  
• http://www.acid-base.com/
  
• http://www.usyd.edu.au/su/anaes/lectures/acidbase_mjb/acidbase.html - acid-base balance by professor michael j. bookallil from the royal prince alfred hospital of the university of sydney.

[thekingandhislady]

Thank you both! I will definately pay close attn to the function of the kidneys as I have already seen that they play a major role in balances. And I will utilize the web sites! Wow thanks again for the help!