fluids & electrolytes...please help

[TKnTK]

Hi,

We recently study fluids and electrolytes but I flunked the test. I've just purchased Fluids and Electrolytes made incredibly Easy, hoping it would help but there's so much info in there that I'm not sure how much I can get through in a few weeks for finals. Does anyone have any tips on how or what helps to understand fluids & electrolytes? I learn better with hands on,verbal, visual/demonstration. I have no problem with the clinical aspect since it's more 'tangible.' It's only my first year of nursing school and I know that it will get harder so I'm trying to figure this piece out now. Thank you for your help!

[gninab]

grntea (blushing)

grntea, are you the author of the icu faq website?

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

no, i am not, but it's flattering to be asked.

[calljs15, ADN]

When I did fluid and electrolytes, what really helped me was folding a blank piece of paper into thirds - so I had a tri fold. In the middle I would put, say, Na+ in the middle and write down what's normal range, what it effects - dietary sources of Na.. generic information. Then on the left side I had "low sodium/hyponatremia" and I'd list s/s, assessments, treatments, etc.. and on the right side I had "high sodium/Hypernatremia" and do the same

When I studied, I would anticipate what was on each fold before I opened it. I'm a hands on learner so this worked so much better than just listing in a paragraph all this information.