Electrolytes

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Hi guys, I have huge problem learning about electrolytes, hyponatremia,

hyperNa, hypoK, hyperK and etc, and also resporatory and metabolic acdosis and alcolosis, What your advice how to learn this,understand this topic.

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What specifically are you having trouble with?

I agree, it's a difficult topic. For NCLEX purposes, focus on sx of hyper and hypo, because I have seen alot of practice questions with those topics in them.

maybe we can help if you are a little more specific?

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What specifically are you having trouble with?

I agree, it's a difficult topic. For NCLEX purposes, focus on sx of hyper and hypo, because I have seen alot of practice questions with those topics in them.

maybe we can help if you are a little more specific?

that's why it's difficult topic, i know that i have to know hyper and hypo but how remember,maybe somebody some way to remermber this stuff/

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Do you have the normal values memorized? Thats a really great place to start -- then we can focus on what happens when they arent normal.

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Do you have the normal values memorized? Thats a really great place to start -- then we can focus on what happens when they arent normal.

yes i memorized.

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I have found that it is impossible to memorize ALL of the effects of an electrolyte imbalance, so I focus on the major ones.... that way I don't get completely overwhelmed.

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Exactly! Just start with knowing the major ones like sodium, potassium, calcium and magnessium memorize them and you'll go from there.Don't try to memorize them all at once because it won't work that way. These are the basic ones you really have to know though, not that others are not important, they are, but start with these first.

For respiratory alkalosis/acidosis and metabolic acidosis/alkalosis,you must memorize the values for the PH, bicarb and the CO2. For interpreteing the results, always look at the PH value first. That tells you whether you have acidosis or alkalosis. Next, look at the bicarb(normal values is 22-26) and the CO2(35-45) levels and see which ones are not within the normal range. If it's bicarb, then you have a metabolic problem and if it's CO2, you have a repiratory problem. If you have for instance, a PH of 7.22 , bicarb of 24 and CO2 of 52. The patient would be experiencing repiratory acidosis. You see, the PH is acidic (normal is 7.35 - 7.45) and the CO2 is above the normal range of 35-45. If it's PH of 7.51, CO2 of 29 and bicarb of 25, the patient has respiratory alkalosis because now the PH is elevated(alkalosis) and the CO2 is the one that is not within the normal levels.

Same thing applies to bicarb.

Note: Don't look at the PaO2 and FiO2 at this point(sometimes they just include it in questions to throw you off but at some point when you really do understand whether it is compensated or uncompensated, it would make more sense for to look at it...for now focus on what is stated up here. I hope this helps....goodluck!

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I just spent the last day or so going over this more. As I was looking at it i noticedsimple stuff, like how hypernatremia and hyperkalemia both work with the words hyper and hypo. Clarification: when the electrolyte is high, the body does things in an amped up way - increased peristalsis etc...

Calcium is the opposite.

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