Critically Appraised Nursing Interventions

These flashcards cover critical nursing concepts and interventions related to patient care, concentrating on fluid balance and electrolyte management.

Isotonic fluids

Fluids that have the same osmotic pressure as body fluids; examples include 0.9% Normal Saline and Lactated Ringer's.

Hypernatremia

A condition characterized by high serum sodium levels, often due to water loss or sodium gain.

Electrolytes

Minerals in the body that carry an electric charge; they are essential for various bodily functions, including hydration and muscle function.

Potassium

An essential electrolyte that maintains cardiac and skeletal muscle function.

Hypokalemia

A condition characterized by low potassium levels in the blood, which can lead to serious health issues including cardiac arrhythmias.

Serum sodium

The concentration of sodium in the blood, important for regulating water balance and other physiological functions.

Hypovolemia

A condition in which there is a decreased volume of circulating blood in the body.

Rationale

The reasoning behind a particular nursing action or clinical decision.

Fluid intake/output monitoring

A nursing intervention involving tracking a patient's fluid consumption and excretion to assess hydration status.

3% Saline

A hypertonic saline solution used to treat severe hyponatremia but can worsen fluid imbalance if not monitored closely.

Calcium

An electrolyte that plays a crucial role in neuromuscular and cardiac function, muscle contraction, and bone health.