Fluid and Electrolytes! Help please!

Nursing Students General Students

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I've been studying fluid and electrolytes for a test that is coming up real soon. I'm confused as to when to give a patient isotonic, hypotonic or hypertonic solutons. I believe the test is going to be more of application than anything. How can you really study for an application test? Many of the electrolytes mimic each other or is the recipocal of the other. For example, if you have a high phophorous, you will have a low calcium. I really need to past this first test and all of your suggestions and advices will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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Get the book "Fluid and Electrolytes Made Incredibly Easy". That is one of the hardest subjects and that book really helped me understand the concepts. I recommend it to everyone.

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Specializes in Physician's Office.

I second pmkn10's advice!! I also used this book as an adjunct to my text and it really helped me to understand the concepts ... Good Luck!!!

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Also look at ED 4 nurses. It helped a lot.

Hypertonic solutions make the cells shrink - in other words, they cause the fluid to leave the cells.

Hypotonic - cause the cells to expand. Would want to give it if the patient is severely dehydrated.

Isotonic - cause no change in the cell's size. So I imagine you would want to give that if there are no issues of dehydration.

I'm fairly new at this, myself. But I studied it before in another class.

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The mosby's Fluid and electrolyte flash cards are very helpful as well. neumonics are used to help memorize conditions.

Deanne H., Elsvier Student Ambassador

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

some of this is explained on this thread: https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/need-help-hyper-252786.html - need help with hyper, hypo, and isotonic solutions? also review your class notes. see these charts:

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