Where’s my Gatorade?
The normal value for this electrolyte is 135-145 mEq/L
What is sodium (Na+)?
Inadequate fluid intake, weak pulse, tachycardia, poor skin turgor and tenting.
What is hypovolemia or Fluid Volume Deficit?
This type of IV fluid is used for fluid or electrolyte replacement. Watch for edema and fluid overload. Hypertensive and heart failure patients should be monitored closely
What is an isotonic solution?
This electrolyte imbalance may present with headaches, hypotension, abdominal cramping, neurological changes, and if too low, could cause seizures
What is hyponatremia?
The unintentional administration of a nonvesicant solution into surrounding tissue.
What is infiltration?
The normal value for this electrolyte is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
What is potassium?
Use of a blood pressure cuff to occlude the brachial or radial artery to assess for hand spasms will result in this sign.
How is Trousseau’s sign assessed?
This type of IV fluid is used with blood transfusions and replaces sodium loss (burn victims). It should not be used with heart failure, pulmonary edema, or renal impairment.
What is normal saline?
This electrolyte imbalance can occur from N/V/D, some medications, or poor dietary intake
What is hypokalemia?
The inflammation of a vein either chemically, mechanically, or bacterially.
What is phlebitis?
The normal value for this electrolyte is 8.6-10.2 mEq/L
What is calcium?
An intervention to avoid this condition is sodium restricted diet and you may need to avoid Alka-Seltzer.
What is hypervolemia or Fluid Volume Excess?
This type of IV fluid contains higher concentrations of dextrose (50% or more) and must be given into central veins which dilute d/t rapid blood flow.
What is a hypertonic solution?
This electrolyte imbalance may present with tetany, convulsions, spasms, and arrhythmias.
What is hypocalcemia?
Overloading the circulatory system with excessive fluids causing increased blood pressure and central venous pressure
What is fluid overload?
The normal value for this electrolyte is 1.3-3.0 mEq/L
What is magnesium?
Twitching of the lip or all facial nerves by tapping anterior to the earlobe and just below the zygomatic arch.
What is Chvostek’s sign?
This type of IV fluid (hint - usually less than 50) hydrates the cells by shifting fluid INTO them. Be careful BP doesn’t drop.
What is a hypotonic solution?
The s/s of this electrolyte imbalance are "Fried salt", or low-grade fever, irritability, hypertension, edema, and oliguria
What is hypernatremia?
When air or gas enter the vascular system, this complication may occur.
What is an air embolism?
What is a chemistry panel (CMP, BMP)?
The patient may have coughing, new onset edema, distended neck veins, dyspnea, and moist crackles after you hung another bag of IV fluids with this condition
What is fluid overload?
This type of IV fluid contains potassium, calcium, and sodium chloride. It corrects dehydration, GI losses, and depleted sodium levels.
What are Lactated Ringers?
Cardiac changes, dysrhythmias, muscle weakness, and anxiety are s/s of this electrolyte imbalance
What is a hyperkalemia?
This can occur when administration of any fluid into the vascular system inadvertently enters the surrounding tissue
What is extravasation?