Nurses Electrolyte HELP?

i thought i would post this question on this thread because you nurses already have the knowledge of electrolytes.

i am studying all the major ones like k, ca, na, po and they all seem to be so similar! they all have cardiac impressions, weakness, confusion and renal complications! how can i possibly make this all sink in! any help will be awesome!! thanks!

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

Potassium matters, none of the other ones really do.

/end thread

In reality, they can be complicated to learn. Once you see some of the imbalances in "real life" they get easier to grasp.

Perhaps a book like this might help? http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/bookdescription.authors/706177/description#description Or even just flash cards. I made flash cards with norms and results and causes of imbalances.

[KateRN1]

http://www.amazon.com/Mosbys-Fluids-Electrolytes-Clinical-Applications/dp/0323037259

and

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0323026036/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0323037259&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0W39C6XSBQ4AR6P9A20X

Aww man I wish I would have asked sooner, by the time I order the flash cards the test will be here!

I already have the first book!! ha ha! Thanks anywho!

O sorry ... I thought I did... I take that back~