Electrolytes Flashcards
An assessment of electrolytes include
nursing history
physical assessment
clinical meaurements
labs
Why is a nursing history so important
bx med conditions can easily cause probs with electrolytes
What kind of information are you trying to get with the nursing history
presense of any symptoms that would indicate probs
info about the clients food and fluid intake
info about output
The physical assessment focuses on evaluatign
skin oral cavity mucous membranes eyes neuro and muscular status cardio sys resp sys
What are the three clinical measurements that can be done without the PCP’s permission
vitals
daily weights
fluid I/O
To obtain accurate weight measurements make sure that
the scale is balanced weigth is taken at the same time everyday wearing the same clothes on the same scale document the type of scale
How to check for postural hypotension
assess BP and pulse in supine
have client wait in that position for 3-5 mins
leave BP cuff on
have client stand up and immediately recheck BP
What is reading that indicates postural hypotension
a drop of 10-15 mmHg in systolic with drop in diastolic
with increased pulse rate by 10 or more per min
What are the laboratory tests
serum electrolytes complete blood count osmolarity urine pH urine specific gravity ABG's
What is a normal blood osmolarity
280-300 mOsm/kg
What are normal specific gravity ranges for urine
1.010-1.025
What are some nursing diagnoses for electrolyte probs
deficient fluid volume excess fluid volume risk for imbalanced fluid volume risk for deficient fluid volume impaired gas exchange
When planning interventions the nurses goals are to
maintain or restore normal fluid balance
main or rest norm balance of electrol in the intra and extracellular compartments
main or rest gas exchange
prevent associated risks
