Download Fluid and Electrolytes

Fluid & Electrolytes
Clinical Activity
Fluid & Electrolytes
This activity will guide you in:
 Understanding nursing care for patients with fluid and electrolyte disturbances.
 Comparing patients and their data with fluid and electrolyte signs and symptoms of disturbances.
Directions:
 Work in a team of two to gather information about each patient in your assigned area or unit. Coordinate with your
clinical instructor, RN’s, and CNA’s/PCT’s to discuss activity.
 Choose two patients, each with one or more serum electrolytes out of the normal range.
What are the normal ranges for the following serum lab electrolyte values?
Na:
K:
Ca:
Mg:
Patient 1
Patient 2
Pt. Initials
Pt. Room #
Age
M/F
Ht.
Wt.
Diagnosis/
reason for
admission
Full set of Vitals
T
Lung Sounds
(crackles, rhonchi,
wheezes) & Location
of lung sound(s)
Heart Sounds (rate,
pulse strength, S1S2
or extra sounds?,
regular/irregular,
murmur?
IV Hospital
medications to treat
fluid and electrolyte
balance disturbance
(name, class, dose,
nursing implications)
PO Hospital
medications to treat
fluid and electrolyte
balance disturbance
(name, class, dose,
nursing implications)
Lab results
Na:
P
R
K:
BP
Ca:
SpO2
T
Mg:
Na:
Your interpretation
of the electrolyte lab
results (example:
hypokalemia)
1
P
R
K:
P
Ca:
SpO2
Mg:
Fluid & Electrolytes
A. In addition to the electrolyte disturbance(s), are either or both of the patients hypervolemic or hypovolemic? If
so, what data supports this?
Patient One
Patient Two
B. Find the patients’ vitals at the time of their admittance or around the time they were thought to be hyper or
hypovolemic and then find vitals after their fluid status was corrected. What effect do you see on the patients’
vitals from them being hyper or hypovolemic?
Patient One
Patient Two
C. Are there any other ongoing illnesses the patients currently has, that put them at risk for a fluid and electrolyte
disturbance and how so?
Patient One
Patient Two
D. If the patients have Mg, K, or Ca values outside of WNL are there any signs and symptoms they experienced
such as muscle cramps or twitches or an abnormal EKG?
Patient One
Patient Two
E. What were the medical treatments for each of the patients to correct either their fluid and/or electrolyte
disturbances?
Patient One
Patient Two
2
Fluid & Electrolytes
F. Are there any medications that the patients are on that can disturb their fluid and electrolyte balance? Which ones
and how so?
Patient One
Patient Two
G. How did the members of the healthcare team know the patients’ fluid and/or electrolyte imbalance was
corrected?
Patient One
Patient Two
H. What were the nurses’ roles in correcting the acid base disturbances?
Patient One
Patient Two
I. Can you have abnormal fluid balance but not have the electrolytes out of balance?
J. What is the definition of dehydration with respect to fluid and electrolytes?
K. Were either of the patients’ dehydrated? If so, what clinical manifestations did they exhibit? (Think through
all of the body systems you assess for in your head to toe, how would dehydration affect each of those body
systems?)
Patient One
Patient Two
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