Title: Week 1 Welcome
Course: 16SP-ASN-210-GH1A1-ADV NUR THROUGH LIFESPAN I > Section: Week 1

MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH FLUID, ELECTROLYTE & ACID-BASE IMBALANCES

Ignatavicius:

Chapters 11

Chapter 12

Weber:

Chapter 8

Welcome to Week # 1 of ASN 210. This week we will focus on the RN role in managing for patients with fluid, electrolyte & acid-base imbalances. You have had introductory experience with this topic in LPN school, please recall what you know, but remember we will dig deeper and go further, you will need a different level of understanding for this topic:

Remember, the human body works best when conditions inside the body are kept within a narrow range of normal. The lessons and assigned chapters focus on the ranges of fluids and electrolytes that are in constant flux to keep the body in homeostasis. The RN knows that to keep conditions as close to normal as possible, the body has many control mechanisms to prevent dangerous changes. Prior review of anatomy and physiology may be helpful in learning the mechanisms of fluid transport and maintenance. Students should understand each electrolyte with respect to the body's having too much (hyper) or too little (hypo) of each. As you study, highlight the nursing assessments and care with each electrolyte problem, with particular attention to some of the special considerations for older adults experiencing these problems. It is also  important for the RN to understand the team (physician, nutritionist) that collaborate with them to treat these problems.

We will also focus on the concept of acid-base balance. This balance is facilitated through the body's control of hydrogen ion (H+) production and elimination. Body fluid pH is a measure of the body fluid's free hydrogen ion level. This value has the narrowest range of normal and the tightest control mechanisms of all electrolytes. Keeping the pH within the normal range involves balancing acids and bases in body fluids. Normal pH ranges from 7.35 to 7.45 for arterial blood and from 7.31 to 7.41 for venous blood are important to remember! It is important for RN students to understand how to keep the pH of the blood within the normal range, because changes from normal interfere with many physiologic functions. These changes include changing the shape and reducing the function of hormones and enzymes, changing the distribution of other electrolytes, changing excitable membranes, and decreasing the effectiveness of many drugs. Fortunately, the body has many mechanisms to ensure minimal changes in free hydrogen ion level. These mechanisms include concepts such as buffering and compensation, and conduct a discussion about the processes of respiratory and metabolic acidosis and alkalosis.

Here is your To-Do List this Week:

Tuesday- Chatter Corner Discussion (Pass/Fail)

Tuesday- Week 1 Pre-Quiz (Pass/Fail)
Tuesday- Syllabus Acknowledgement (Pass/Fail)

Lessons:

- Patients with Fluid & Electrolyte Imbalances
- Patients with Acid-Base Imbalances

Wed & Sunday-  W1 Discussion Forum 1- 10 Points
Friday- Unit Post Quiz- 20 Points
Sunday- IMBALANCES ASSIGNMENTS- 60 Points
Clinical Time & Assignments (Pass/Fail)