VSPN TECH353-0322: Let There be Lytes: All About Electrolytes

The real time sessions for this course will be presented via Zoom webinar platform.

Presenter: Melissa Evans LVT, VTS (ECC)
Course Open: March 18-April 13, 2022
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Sundays, March 27 and April 3, 2022; 8:30-10:00pm ET (USA)    World Clock Converter
Total CE Credit: 3
RACE Category: 3 hours Medical

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Course Information:
Electrolytes are essential for maintaining hemostasis in the body. They play a vital role in fluid balance and acid base status, as well as regulating cellular, myocardial, musculoskeletal and neurologic function. Recognizing and understanding electrolyte abnormalities is essential to treating our patients. This course will review the six major electrolytes and examine the physiology behind each. Monitoring and treatment of abnormalities will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to:
  • Examine how electrolytes affect the balance of water in the body.
  • Discuss osmolality and tonicity.
  • Recognize disease processes that are commonly associated with imbalances of sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphorus or magnesium.
  • Discuss the pathophysiology of disturbances in electrolytes.
  • Identify treatment plans and medications for patients with imbalances of these electrolytes.
  • Examine how acid/base status is affected by electrolytes.
Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate VSPN CE course will be open for enrollment to veterinary technicians/technologists.

RACE Accreditation: This program has been approved for 3 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval. (20-891507)

Course Agenda:

Week 1 (Real Time Session March 27): What are electrolytes? Water balance, Sodium and Potassium
This session will focus on the electrolytes role in the body. We will examine the role electrolytes play on fluid balance. Disorders of sodium and potassium will be reviewed and the pathology behind these elements will be discussed. Treatment for hypo and hypernatremia and hypo and hyperkalemia will be considered.

Week 2 (Real Time Session April 3): Chloride, Calcium, Phosphorus and Magnesium. Acid/Base status and electrolytes
This session will discuss disorders of chloride, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Treatment for each element will be reviewed. The anion gap and role of electrolytes on acid/base status will be examined.

Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course. To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.
Required Textbook(s): There is no required textbook for this course.

Enrollment is closed.

Tuition: $63 ($59 early bird special if enrolled by March 6, 2022)
Prices are listed in US dollars.

* Students currently enrolled in an AVMA accredited or CVMA approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status).

*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on March 27, 2022 at 5 pm ET (USA) or when the maximum number of participants is reached.

*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.

To Enroll:
  1. Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member and non-member veterinarians. Veterinarians enrolling in a VSPN CE course must be a VIN member. Veterinary support staff must be a VSPN member to enroll in a VSPN CE or a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
  2. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  3. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext.792 or email . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.

Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to the listed start date of the course. If you wish to withdraw after the start date please contact the VIN office 800-846-0028 ext. 792 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.

*For more information on VSPN's upcoming CE courses, check the VSPN Course Catalog.

VSPN CE Services:
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 792
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357