electrolytes and acid base balance advice

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So just curious...has anyone else felt as lost as I feel in the electrolytes and acid base unit? It's only second semester and I'm freaking out because this stuff is like reading German stereo instructions to me. Is it more memorization than anything else I should be focusing on? I get so confused on how everything affects something else and everything seems the opposite of what it should be. I've never felt lost in studying or nursing school yet and this is kinda like a slam in the face. I know this is extremely important stuff to know and am just wondering how everyone else has studied for this stuff to make it sink in and make sense

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Specializes in Critical care.

Check out the Simple Nursing videos on youtube that you can view for free. If you really like them, it may be worth it to pay for a subscription to the actual website. The guy has a good way of explaining things.

I also did a lot of charts and did funny little pictures on my notes to help me remember things. Another way to help if you are visual is to use a different color pen for each electrolyte. That way if you get stuck, maybe remembering the color of your notes will help you keep things straight.

I also really sat down and read the book and took really detailed notes. I spent a good amount of time reading and processing.

Pinterest also has some good memes and mnemonics for remembering things.

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Thanks!! i'm like you. I read everything, color code and make detailed notes of the readings. I'm hoping maybe with some time this stuff will start to sink in? I've also been using the codes and materials from the textbook to do online activities and questions. I haven't started the class yet..not till end of august haha they give us the readings and material at the end of the semester for the next... but i figure use my summer to get ahead and understand before I go in and get blindsided....at this point I'm gonna need it

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