Bridging the Gap: Use of Educational Gaming to Teach Acid-Base Imbalance Interpretation in Nursing Students.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between an acid-base imbalance educational gaming activity and subsequent performance on a course examination on the subject. METHOD: A nonexperimental descriptive design was employed using retrospective data obtained from both College of Nursing internal records and the learning management system used by the nursing program. A total of 435 students in the intervention group and 409 in the control group were included in the study. RESULTS: Differences in mean (SD) scores between the 2 groups for the acid-base content questions on the course examination were statistically significant (intervention group, 16.64 [1.92]; control group, 16.03 [1.62]; t842 = 2.34, P = .019). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that using educational gaming may improve retention and application of nursing knowledge.

Acid-Base Homeostasis: Overview for Infusion Nurses.

Acid-base homeostasis is essential to normal function of the human body. Even slight alterations can significantly alter physiologic processes at the tissue and cellular levels. To optimally care for patients, nurses must be able to recognize signs and symptoms that indicate deviations from normal. Nurses who provide infusions to patients-whether in acute care, home care, or infusion center settings-have a responsibility to be able to recognize the laboratory value changes that occur with the imbalance and appreciate the treatment options, including intravenous infusions.

Identifying acid-base and electrolyte imbalances.

Acid-base and electrolyte imbalances often complicate patient management in acute care settings. Correctly identifying the imbalance and its cause is vital. This article will review the physiology of acid-base and electrolyte balance, their common disturbances, associated causes, clinical manifestations, and management implications for nurse practitioners.

Challenges in donor care.

This article is provided as a self-study feature on care of organ donors. Questions and possible responses are provided. Review all the responses for each question.

Equilíbrio ácido-básico: defesa do sangue - constantes biológicas e visão geral do enfermeiro frente a este distúrbio / Acid-base balance: blood defense - biologic constants and general view of the nurse regarding this disturbance

As autoras fazem uma revisão sobre os mecanismos de defesa contra as variações do pH sangüíneo e a visão geral que o enfermeiro deve ter frente a este distúrbio.

Arterial blood gases: clinical application.

The interpretation of arterial blood gases (ABGs) is an essential assessment skill for the PACU nurse. ABG analysis can be fun and exciting, as well as an important tool for patient care. Acid-base imbalances are associated with various clinical conditions. Using ABGs as an assessment tool, the PACU nurse can determine the patient's acid-base status and initiate prompt, appropriate nursing intervention and medical consultation.

[Interpretation of blood gas analysis]. / L'interprétation de la gazométrie sanguine.

Acid-base problems can be easily identified by the nurse when a systematic approach is utilized during arterial blood gases interpretation. Furthermore, understanding the underlying principles of acid-base balance assist the nurse in choosing the appropriate intervention. By intervening early, many emergency situations can be avoided. Since the nurse is the primary care giver, and is most readily available for the client, early interventions to correct acid-base problems would expedite the client's recovery. This article demonstrates how to identify and explain acid-base problems by answering four key questions. Tables and figures are incorporated to facilitate understanding, and to summarize information in a succinct manner.