Confused Nursing Student

Katnip, RN · Jun 4, 2003

Since so many of the s/s are similar, look for the differences in each one.

0.9% is isotonic

The best thing to do is look through your old anatomy books on osmolarity. I would just ramble. Understanding the root words will help you be able to puzzle it out without having to memorize.

AAHZ · Jun 4, 2003

Originally posted by cyberkat
Since so many of the s/s are similar, look for the differences in each one.

0.9% is isotonic

The best thing to do is look through your old anatomy books on osmolarity. I would just ramble. Understanding the root words will help you be able to puzzle it out without having to memorize.

I agree. don't make it harder then it already is. Getting the root words down will help bring it together.

Zee_RN, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2003

Hypocalcemia:

twitch, twitch,

seize, seize,

Chovstek's & Trouseau's! (Say it as a little rhymey-thing)

Hyponatremia: neurologic signs, leading to seizures.

HypOtonic (notice the O) means the water moves into the cell (picture the cell swelling to a big O). A few hypotonic solutions: 0.45% saline; 0.33% saline, 2.5% dextrose.

Hypertonic moves the water from the cell and puts it in the vasculature. D5W-1/2 saline; D5NS; D5RL.

Isotonic: water doesn't move between cells and vasculature. Normal Saline (0.9%) and Lactated Ringers.

cab631 · Jun 5, 2003

Once you pass the test and start working with this stuff everyday, you'll get it! Hang in there!

Gator,SN · Jun 5, 2003

If all else fails, I got this great book called "fluid and electrolytes made easy" it helped me a lot. (you might be avle to get it at the school library)

good luck with the test!

Gator

Agnus · Jun 5, 2003

Try Springhouse. Fluids and Electrolytes made Incredibly Easy ISBN 0-87434-886-2.

Cause muscle to relax:

Magniesium

Potasium

Causes muscle to twitch:

Calcium

sodium

These 4 are the most important electrolytes (though not all of them)

remembering the above facts may help you critically sort out a problem.

Hypertonic is where there is a high osmolarity i.e. a high consentration of something other than water

Isotonic is were the consentration is the same as that normally found in the body.

I am sure from this you can figure out hypotonic.

Hyper think HIGH

Hypo think low

If there is a hyper consentrated IV solution it will draw fluid from the tissues into the vessel as it wants to be delute.

If it is hypo the more consentrated tissue fluids will draw the IV solution into the tissues to delute the tissue fluids.

It is kind of a different way of explaining it but maybe you might see it better from a different angle.

Agnus · Jun 5, 2003

0.9% NaCl is iso

so 3% is hyper

and 0.45% is hypo

Also if you think about what each electrolyte normally does in the body you can figure out the S/S

karenG · Jun 5, 2003

oh boy............am I glad I dont work in the states!! think I'll stay here and be a good little nurse practitioner!!

Karen