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I am in my second semester where we are having to learn the causes, symptoms, and treatments of the fluid and electrolytes. I was wondering if any one had any ideas for learning these? :bugeyes: thanks

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I remember having to read the symptoms again and again and, yet, again before I got it together. I know that in the beginning, most of the symptoms appear to be similar, but try and find the differences.

Small examples are: Sodium transmits nerve impulses, among other things. If sodium is low, look at it like it is an electric short, so, a person may have seizures. If sodium is high, dehydration may occur, because (think of osmosis) the water will be drawn out to the area of high solute concentration, basically, drying the cells out.

Potassium assists with muscular movement, especially the heart. Therefore, it potassium is low, the EKG will show a flat T wave, cause nausea, cramping, diarrhea, muscle weakness. If potassium is high, then, there would be abdominal distention, constipation, bloating, a peaked T wave, muscle paralysis, because there is too much potassium. Also, potassiuim is released from the inner cells in burns and trauma. Also, it may have been mentioned that if there is a shortage of potassium, and a patient is taking digitalis, the chances are higher for digitalis toxicity. Think of it this way: if a person is taking dig, then, look at potassiuim, calcium and magnesium levels. If potassium is low and calcium & magnesium is high, they are at risk for digitalis toxicity.

Calcium, look at it as "calcium sedates". So, if there is not enough calcium, they will have the Toursseau's sign, where if you wrap the arm in a blood pressure cuff and it tenses up, or Chovetek's sign, where if you touch the side of the mouth, it will twitch. If calcium is high, muscles are also very weak and flaccid and (I believe) that there may be bone breakage since the calcium is leaving the bone and is accumulating in the blood.

I was taught that magnesium and calcium are "twins" and basically act the same. It is harder, I believe to have a magnesium shortage, because it is plentiful in the diet, but I believe I read that alcoholics may suffer from a lack of magnesium. Also, with magnesium, it is administered to patients that have pregnancy induced hypertention to reduce the chance of seizures. Therefore, when magnesium is administered, they check for muscular reflexes often and I think they test for traces in urine. So, basically, since they are "twins", you would see some of the same things that you see with calcium.

I was not taught about chloride, phospherous or the other ones, but usually, I think that if there is a deficiency in one, there may be another one, but my friend that works in med-surg told me that they are mainly concerned with Sodium, Potassium, Calcium and Magnesiuim the most often.

I just thought of these things off of the fly, so to speak, with no book. If I am wrong anywhere, someone feel free to chime in. I remembered fluid and electrolytes, along with pharmacology were my main nightmares. But, I also am glad I knew enough for NCLEX because I did get a few questions, mainly on sodium and potassium. I hope that this helped somewhat. Good luck!

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Oh, sodium can be low if there is a low sodium intake, increase in water intake, vomiting, suctioning, fever, excessive sweating, Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone, diuretic such as thiazides or Lasix.

Can be high if they have renal impairment or increased intake of sodium in diet, decreased water intake.

Potassium is always excreted by the kidneys; therefore, we must have an adequate potassium intake to sustain life. I remember reading that excessive GI losses such as vomiting, diarrhea, gastric suction and potassium wasting diuretics such as lasix, Cushing's syndrome (think CRUSH potassium) and potassium wasting diuretics, such as thiazides and lasix.

Elevated potassium: renal failure, decreased urination, blood transfusions (excessive), acidosis

Calcium is low: decreased calcium and vitamin D intake, malabsorpion of calcium in GI, hypoparathyroidism

Calcium is high: immobilization, bone cancers, mutliple fractures, hyperparathyroidism, excess of vitamin D

Magnesium high and low: *remember that calcium and magnesium are *twins*

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Moved to the Nursing Student Assistance forums with the goal of receiving more feedback and replies.

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Thanks so much you were alot of help I appreciate it so much, I have a test in two weeks so I really want to understand them.. thanks again

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

hi, tinaanne, and welcome to allnurses! :welcome:

as a newbie, let me point out to you that we have many resources for you student nurses on the sticky threads of this and the general nursing student discussion forum. sticky threads are the threads that will appear at the very top of the thread listings when you pull up a forum on allnurses. posted on the sticky threads are most often websites of help for you students.

if you will go to post #24 on this sticky thread: https://allnurses.com/forums/f205/pathophysiology-p-fluid-electrolyte-resources-145201.html - pathophysiology/a & p/fluid & electrolyte resources (in nursing student assistance forum), you will find an extensive list of fluid and electrolyte tutorials and websites to help you with your study and understanding of this subject. you should also explore the other posts in this thread as well since there is also abg information there which is a closely related subject.

my suggestion is to make flashcards for memorization. it's the most painless way.

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