Fluids, Electolytes and Acid Base

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OK - after hearing the horror stories of former students, they've succeeded to scare the dickens out of a number of us students who are now venturing into this topic. I've read most of the chapter so far and even though there are some dicey areas, it doesn't seem all that bad so far...the lecture for this is Tue Evening and the test (along with three other chapters) is on 5/25...is there anything with this topic that's particularly tricky or that we should be wary off?

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Specializes in Nursing Education.

Lol, I had the same exact experience!! I heard so many horror stories, that I studied the material until I knew it backwards and forwards, and when the prof finally got to it in class, it turned out I had learned even more than she was expecting to test us on!

I think the key things to do for F&E are to memorize your normal ranges for the electrolytes and the ABG values. Then make sure you know which basic sx go with with which electrolyte imbalances (usually the sx for 'hyper' are opposite of the sx for 'hypo'...makes it easier). And finally, know how to interpret your ABGs, and what are the main causes & sx of respiratory acidosis/alkalosys and metabolic acidosis/alkalosys.

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is there anything with this topic that's particularly tricky or that we should be wary off?

It is an area where you really want to know the "whys" and not just the "whats." It takes some time and you might have to go over and through it a few times to get it. Start early.

The nice thing is once you get it, you got it.

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Thanks a lot - I just want to make sure I don't focus in on this so much, that I neglect the other chapters that will also be on the test (pain perception and management, IV Infusion, Infections and Antibiotics), while still giving it the attention it needs...:)

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My advice to you is to not just memorize the sx of each but rather understand it

For instance: hypocalcemia causes muscle spasms, twitches, and tremors.... well why does it cause those??

calcium relaxes the muscles -- so if you are low in calcium your muscles are not going to be relaxed but rather "spazzing"

and vice versa with hypercalcemia-- they are too relaxed

Good luck on your test! I got a 97% on it by understanding the bottom line of WHY it happens :bugeyes:

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Specializes in Nursing Education.
My advice to you is to not just memorize the sx of each but rather understand it

For instance: hypocalcemia causes muscle spasms, twitches, and tremors.... well why does it cause those??

calcium relaxes the muscles -- so if you are low in calcium your muscles are not going to be relaxed but rather "spazzing"

and vice versa with hypercalcemia-- they are too relaxed

Good luck on your test! I got a 97% on it by understanding the bottom line of WHY it happens :bugeyes:

I love students like you!! :yeah:

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My advice to you is to not just memorize the sx of each but rather understand it

For instance: hypocalcemia causes muscle spasms, twitches, and tremors.... well why does it cause those??

calcium relaxes the muscles -- so if you are low in calcium your muscles are not going to be relaxed but rather "spazzing"

and vice versa with hypercalcemia-- they are too relaxed

Good luck on your test! I got a 97% on it by understanding the bottom line of WHY it happens :bugeyes:

Thanks a lot - definitely good advice. As an aside, if I go back to my A&P days, your example has something to do with the 'crossing bridges' process of muscle contraction - because 'something or another' can't disconnect the 'bridge' (if I'm not mistaken:o -I'll have to review that)

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def know WHY... know WHY things happen throughout your nursing student career (and I am still a student but a lil older with a biomed degree) and you will always remember stuff! Not to mention you will be much less likely to make a med error and be a much better critical thinker as result of knowing why things happen rather just knowing they DO happen (memorizing for an exam). F & E balance is a fascinating topic but antibiotics, pain management, infection control etc.. these are all very important topics as well!

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
My advice to you is to not just memorize the sx of each but rather understand it
Sound advice, irrespective of the topic.
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Sound advice irrespective of the topic.[/quote']

irrespective of the topic?:confused:

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
irrespective of the topic?:confused:
Yes.

Regardless of the topic or subject, one is far better off to strive for understanding rather that simply memorizing facts.

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Yes.

Regardless of the topic or subject, one is far better off to strive for understanding rather that simply memorizing facts.

aha! :idea: I thought you meant it was good advice, but not for this topic and I was going to say ummmm....

:D

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