Need Help With Electrolytes!

TiredMD · Jul 20, 2008

totally :offtopic: but why would a MD want to go to a nursing forum.... ? are there MD forums out there? I'm going to look into that... allmdforums.... :)
and I have found something: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/

When you maintain an open forum on the internet, you take what you get. If the people who owned/ran this website wanted to limit it exclusively to nurses or student nurses, there are relatively easy ways to do that.

Presumably, since they don't do that, they are not interested in limiting membership.

(And as a sidenote, are you the same "MassEDRN" who recently started posting on SDN?)

CritterLover, BSN, RN · Jul 20, 2008

i learned 1gm of mag will increase the mag level 0.1 --> so if the mag is 1.8, and you want it to be 2.0, give 2grams.

there was a "formula" for phos, too -- i think something like 15mmol of phos will increase phos level 0.2.

seemed to work pretty well when the electrolytes were moderately low; not so well when the lytes were really low.

so true that everyone is different, but it is nice to have a reference point.

when i used to precept new nurses, i always taught them this. i got a lot of "but why do i need to know? the doctor is the one ordering the electrolyte replacements." my answer is simple: you need to know if what they are ordering is reasonable or not.

allnurses Guide · Jul 20, 2008

When you maintain an open forum on the internet, you take what you get. If the people who owned/ran this website wanted to limit it exclusively to nurses or student nurses, there are relatively easy ways to do that.
Presumably, since they don't do that, they are not interested in limiting membership.
(And as a sidenote, are you the same "MassEDRN" who recently started posting on SDN?)

MassED - TiredMD has been posting here for awhile and we (those of us who have read his posts) appreciate his input and he is welcome here. I realize people cannot read all threads so you may not know this.

steph

1TachyRN, RN · Jul 20, 2008

I hate when that happens. Talk about off-topic...

Play nice.

Pax_Ramona · Jul 20, 2008

Vaporize,

It sounds like the makings of a work place bully: "She says she is senior to me and that it looks bad on me if I don't give her an answer."

You have some choices: avoid her (not likely), report her (to whom?), ignore her (good idea) and then there is the pre-emptive strike. If you could come up with some really tricky clinical question and ask her before she gets a chance to open her mouth! :wink2:

GilaRRT · Jul 20, 2008

Or simply tell her to MYOB.

supafly · Jul 20, 2008

Thanks for all the replies. The nurse thats asking me this isnt even my instructor. She is just a nurse that works there. But she is getting on my nerves. Everytime I see her its the same question over and over again. This is atleast the 6th time. She says she is senior to me and that it looks bad on me if I dont give her an answer and she does this infront of my peers. I dont know whether to keep ignoring her or reporting her.

Seems so weird, especially considering the nurses and MD here didn't have an answer off hand. I'd try to get my CI or course instructor involved to get that nurse off my back. Must be annoying!

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Jul 20, 2008

I am a nursing student. I keep getting asked everyday by this nurse at a hospital about how much an electrolyte level will go up if it is replaced. I know that for potassium every 10 mEq of KCL = 0.1 mEq of potassium in the body. But she also wants to know about 1 gram of magnesium sulfate and calcium chloride/carbonate? I tried googaling for an 1 1/2 hour with no luck. Any help appreciated. Thanks.

Since this nurse is not your CI or in any supervisory position over you, I would suggest asking your CI for some input on how to handle this. That's what CIs are there for, to advocate for you and facilitate a learning environment for you.

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Jul 20, 2008

MassED - TiredMD has been posting here for awhile and we (those of us who have read his posts) appreciate his input and he is welcome here. I realize people cannot read all threads so you may not know this.
steph

I enjoy TiredMD's input, and welcome his/her participation here.

MassED, BSN, RN · Jul 20, 2008

Thanks for all the replies. The nurse thats asking me this isnt even my instructor. She is just a nurse that works there. But she is getting on my nerves. Everytime I see her its the same question over and over again. This is atleast the 6th time. She says she is senior to me and that it looks bad on me if I dont give her an answer and she does this infront of my peers. I dont know whether to keep ignoring her or reporting her.

report and ask her what her problem is - why is she hounding you... ask nicely, but ask nonetheless.

MassED, BSN, RN · Jul 20, 2008

When you maintain an open forum on the internet, you take what you get. If the people who owned/ran this website wanted to limit it exclusively to nurses or student nurses, there are relatively easy ways to do that.
Presumably, since they don't do that, they are not interested in limiting membership.
(And as a sidenote, are you the same "MassEDRN" who recently started posting on SDN?)

It is interesting the negative response that was posted here when I just asked a question. I find responses from other healthcare professionals interesting and helpful. I thought I'd put that question out there because I simply wanted to know the answer.... soooooooo there ya go.....anyhoo

Yes, since I found that SDN I thought I'd register to post a reply to a discussion. I'm not impressed with that site thus far. It appears to be limited and the more I read, the less I liked how some discussions were headed....

MassED, BSN, RN · Jul 20, 2008

MassED - TiredMD has been posting here for awhile and we (those of us who have read his posts) appreciate his input and he is welcome here. I realize people cannot read all threads so you may not know this.
steph

again, I just asked a question that did N O T have any hostility or negativity in it - it was a question that I merely wondered. Everyone, relax!