Reflective Writing Project
Reflective Writing Project (Hypovolemia vs Hypervolemia)
My entry into nursing school has been quite fruitful in building knowledge and understanding of various nursing topics. Throughout the learning process, I have gained great insights regarding nursing care for various groups of patients. I look forward to applying the learned skills in patient care provision as I graduate from nursing school. As part of reflection, the paper provides a detailed comparison and contrast between two system disorders, hypovolemia, and hypervolemia, in a bid to display how my understanding of the two topics has matured over the course of learning.
Before joining the nursing school, I could barely understand the meanings of the two system disorders. However, gaining entry into the course had made it possible for me to not only know the two system disorders but also, to identify the various similarities and differences between them. Hypovolemia, also known as volume depletion, is a condition characterized by a decrease in intravascular volume (Viera & Wouk, 2015). A decrease in blood volume or loss of both water and salt leads to volume depletion. Hypervolemia, also referred to as fluid overload, is a condition characterized by too much fluid in the blood.
I have learned that the significant similarity between the two conditions is that they affect the fluid volume in the blood. Regarding the differences, hypovolemia decreases the volume of intravascular fluid whereas hypervolemia creates an overload of intravascular fluid as a result of kidney retention (Viera & Wouk, 2015). As stated, hypervolemia results from retention of fluids by the kidney whereas hypovolemia may result from an injury that leads to blood loss. The treatment options available for the two conditions are also different (Gilligan & Raphael, 2017). Whereas a patient with hypovolemia may need a blood transfusion and intravenous fluids, individuals with hypervolemia require diuretics and have to watch their fluid intake.
As I conclude, I look forward to transitioning to the nursing field with the skills that I have gained over time in nursing school. I am certain that the skills that I have gained with guide me in the provision of quality care to the patients that I will interact with. Regarding the two system disorders, a detailed concept map is provided in the appendices.
References
Gilligan, S., & Raphael, K. L. (2017). Hyperkalemia and hypokalemia in CKD: prevalence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes. Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease, 24(5), 315-318.
Viera, A. J., & Wouk, N. (2015). Potassium disorders: hypokalemia and hyperkalemia. American family physician, 92(6), 487-495.
Appendices
Hypovolemia Concept Map
Hypervolemia Concept Map
Pthapa