Nurses
sometime underestimate the power of electrolytes. Although we learn about
electrolytes is nursing school, we typically don’t carve out a lot of time for
them like we do with the cardiac or respiratory system. Yet electrolytes are
involved in every single muscle contraction, digestive process, and brain impulse!!
Understanding
the role of electrolytes can help you understand every body system and chemical
reaction needed to survive. It can also help you anticipate and prevent patient
complications and provide high quality care.
THE BASICS
Basically,
you have the same amount of electrolytes INSIDE the cell as you do OUTSIDE.
However, when we draw blood from patients, we can only measure what’s outside.
Consider
Potassium. Normal serum potassium is 3.5 – 5.0 meq/L. Not very much. However,
if you could measure how much potassium was INSIDE the cell you find around 145
meq/L.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Nurses
spend a lot of time monitoring and replacing electrolytes. The speed in which
you replace some electrolytes is critical!! Too fast and you can cause the
patient to go into cardiac arrest!
General rule
of thumb
If
you have more of that electrolyte INSIDE the cell than OUTSIDE, replace slowly.
For example – potassium and magnesium. You would never want to push potassium –
I would consider that a lethal injection!!
Before
giving any electrolyte, always think…
·
Why am I
giving this electrolyte replacement?
·
How can I
administer this electrolyte safely?
·
How will the
body respond?
·
How will I
know the replacement was effective?
Remember,
ignorance is NOT a defense. Know your electrolytes!
Thanks
for reading and for choosing to become a nurse. I’m cheering for your success!
Renee
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blog about Sodium!
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Good Work Renee Thompson, Thanks for giving out excellent information. Your article is interesting and I have forwarded it to some of my links.
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Thanks so much for commenting Tegan. Glad to help!! I haven't created any new content for this blog because I'm focusing on my other one - blog.rtconnections.com. Good resources there too but focuses more on professional practice.
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Renee
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