Assessment of Electrolyte Disturbances Risk Factors among Traumatic Brain Injury

Background: Electrolyte disorders are linked to cardiovascular emergencies, suchas cardiac dysrhythmias and arrest, complicating resuscitation efforts.Without timely monitoring and management, these issues can lead to severecomplications, including death. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients frequentlyexperience electrolyte disturbances due to various risk factors, necessitating closemonitoring by nurses to detect and prevent life-threatening disorders, therebyimproving patient outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to assess the risk factors ofelectrolyte disturbances among TBI patients. Settings: Data were collected from fiveadult ICUs at Alexandria Main University Hospital, ensuring a diverse patientpopulation. Subjects: A convenience sample of 140 patients aged 18-65 years withconfirmed TBI was selected using power analysis and sample size software (PASS2020). Tool: The "Electrolyte Disturbances Risk Factors Assessment Tool," adoptedfrom Chala Kenenisa Edae et al. (2020), was utilized for systematic data collection,demonstrating validity and reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.76). This tool encompassedrelevant clinical data, including demographic and laboratory values. Results:Significant risk factors for sodium disturbances included: SIADH: P=0.019,Hypervolemia: P=0.038 and Hyperglycemia: P=0. 047.For potassium disturbances,significant associations were found with: SIADH: P=0.029. Hypovolemia a:P=0.033, Acute Renal Failure (ARF): P=0.036 and Hypervolemia: P=0.038.Conclusion: Key risk factors for electrolyte disturbances in TBI patients areSIADH, hyperglycemia, hypovolemia, hypervolemia, and ARF. This underscores thenecessity for proactive nursing interventions. Recommendations: critical care nursesshould enhance monitoring practices and consider assessing additional electrolytes,such as calcium and magnesium, to improve patient outcomes and reducecomplications.