fluids and electrolytes

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Hello, I am in my second semester and in my med/surg we are going into fluids and electrolytes, acid/base balance.. Can anyone tell me if there is a possibility of actually understanding this and remembering it all for a test? It seems like all the symptoms are similar except maybe a few with different BP reading. I am lost.. I understand the concept of each but with test questions.. how will I differientiate them all? If anyone has any tips to remember this it will be greatly appreciated..

Thanks

Amy

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.

Get Fluids and Electrolytes made incredibly Easy. I haven't found a better book yet.

Also, the s/s do vary enough for you to see the differences between them if you realy think about it.

Potassium is involved in muscle movements, so abnormal amounts will affect both skeletal muscle movements and cardiac muscle, causing arrythmias.

You ever heard someone say to eat more banana if you have leg cramps?

Sodium problems result from either shrinkage or swelling of cells including the brain cells so you will have LOC problems.

Acid base-- off hand I can tell you that the lungs can help with acid problems. You will "blow off" excess carbonic acid with increased respirations.

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Ditto!

Fluids and Electrolytes Made Incredible Easy.

It has cartoon like pictures that I can still see in my head.

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Think of the acid-base part like this. If the CO2 is higher than normal value then it is a respiratory acidosis, and if the HC03is higher than normal value then it is metabolism alkilosis (sorry for the mispell). To determine whether it is respiratory or metabolism issue, first look at the pH value then look at the other values and see which one is off. If it is the HC03 then it is the metabolism, but if it is the CO2 then it is respiratory.

Hope that helps.

If not then look up websites that explains it.

Good luck with Med-surg. I took it last semester and it was one of the most interesting and useful courses I have so far taken in my nursing studies.

-Lilme :)

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.

Yep. Med surg is the foundation to the rest of your courses, child health, OB included. If you do well and understand the concepts ther, you will do well the rest of the program.

Good luck.

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

Learning about the different electrolytes is not much different than learning about all the different drugs. There is something unique about each one. If you do a search, you will find the most information on Potassium and Calcium. This is because when these two are out of whack there are some pretty serious consequences. So, know what they are.

You should check out the weblinks that are given on this sticky thread over on the Nursing Student Assistance Forum. You should find some help there:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f205/pathophysiology-p-fluid-electrolyte-resources-145201.html -

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

Yep. Love, love, LOVE Fluids and Electrolytes Made Incredibly Easy.

It's just a wonderful resource.

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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry.

Thank you for starting this thread and for all the wonderful answers. I'm going through this right now and I have F/E Made Incredibly Easy. Hopefully, I'll be able to get the concept through my head. :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

We just started the topic today and our instructor "shared" with us the possibility of using Incredibly Easy F & E as an adjunct to our text....she also had some of their pics in her PowerPoint....wonderful stuff, that book!!

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Well wouldnt you know it,, I went to Books a Million and they are out of that book. I have the test this coming friday, so I dont think I have time to order it and study it. I guess I will have to break it down from my textbook. What a bummer.. Thanks for all the replys here.. I love this board.

Amy

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Specializes in ICU.

amy, try the library - the ones around my area usually have a good stock of the incredibly east books - and now that i think of it, our school library had a few too.

good luck with your test friday:cheers:

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

You can always check any local bookseller for it -- Barnes, Waldenbooks, Borders, etc.....I know it's a bit pricey (aren't they all?), but it'll be well worth it if it helps pull you through!!

If you have a Borders, Borders Express, or Waldenbooks by you, they have this great club you can join for FREE (in store):

http://www.bordersrewards.com/landing.aspx

You can ask them in the store when you sign up if they have this month's coupon (20% discount) and then they send them via e-mail frequently....really a BIG help for us struggling students!!

Also, check your school's library or local library...lol...I know, like you've got all sorts of time to do all this chasing around!!

Good luck!!

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