Understanding Electrolytes in Nursing

Oct 14, 2024

Lecture Notes: Electrolytes

Introduction

  • Lecturer: Nurse Mike from SimpleNursing.com
  • Topic: Electrolytes, their functions, imbalances, and related nursing care.
  • Main Idea: Electrolytes conduct electricity in the body maintaining homeostasis and are vital for bodily functions.

Key Concepts

What Disrupts Electrolyte Function?

  • Various factors can disrupt electrolyte balance, affecting the body's ability to maintain homeostasis.

Foods with Electrolytes

  • Electrolytes must be ingested through diet or supplements as the body cannot produce them naturally.
    • Potassium: Fruits, green leafy vegetables, bananas
    • Sodium: Processed foods, canned goods, fast food
    • Magnesium: Spinach, almonds, yogurt
    • Calcium: Dairy, green leafy vegetables, almonds
    • Phosphate: Dairy, meats, beans
    • Chloride: Found in salt and salty foods

Electrolyte Values and Priorities

  • Potassium: 3.5 - 5.0 mEq/L
  • Sodium: 136 - 145 mEq/L
  • Calcium: 9.0 - 10.5 mg/dL
  • Magnesium: 1.3 - 2.1 mEq/L
  • Phosphate: 3.0 - 4.5 mg/dL
  • Chloride: 98 - 106 mEq/L
  • Importance of knowing these for exams like NCLEX.

Balance and Homeostasis

  • Therapeutic Range: The most effective drug concentration with least toxicity.
  • Homeostasis: Body's self-regulating process to maintain balance.

Major Electrolytes and Their Functions

King Potassium

  • Critical for muscle contraction, especially the heart.
  • Found in fruits and green leafy vegetables.

Salty Sodium

  • Maintains blood volume, blood pressure, and pH balance.
  • High in processed foods.

Magnum Magnesium

  • Maintains muscle and nerve function.
  • Found in spinach, almonds, and yogurt.

Cocky Calcium

  • Strengthens bones, blood, and heartbeats.
  • Found in green leafy vegetables and dairy.

Phosphate

  • Works inversely with calcium, important for bone formation.

Four-Eyed Chloride

  • Follows sodium to maintain blood volume and pressure.

Electrolyte Memorization Tricks

  • Write out electrolyte values 10 times before and after studying each day.
  • Know food sources for select all that apply questions in exams.

Electrolyte Depletion

  • Exit Routes: Vomiting, diarrhea, urination, sweating.
  • Hemodilution: Low lab values due to fluid overload.
  • Hemoconcentration: High lab values due to dehydration.

Conclusion

  • Electrolytes ensure the body functions optimally by maintaining balance.
  • Important to memorize electrolyte values and sources for exams.

Additional Resources

  • Access full video and quiz bank at SimpleNursing.com
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  • Note: Hospitals' and textbooks' values may vary; always refer to your specific course material for exams.