Adult: Electrolyte/Fluid Balance Flashcards
What are the reasons that edema occurs ?
- decreased oncotic pressure (low plasma protein/albumin)
- increased hydrostatic pressure (fluid overload, obstruction (clot/tourniquet)
- increased interstitial oncotic pressure
What is the third space ?
fluid accumulation in non-functional areas between cells where it is difficult/impossible to move back into cells or blood vessels
- pleural cavity, or peritoneal cavity
Where does the blood plasma get the oncotic pressure ?
- protein
- albumin
How does fluid stay in the vascular system ?
capillaries/veins/arteries hold it in
- oncotic pressure pulls the fluid into the blood vessels
What does Anti-Diuretic Hormone (ADH) control ?
how much fluid the body holds onto
- activated by stress, decreased BP, and pain
What can disrupt and cause the imbalance in overall body fluid ?
- alterations in ADH
- thirst mechanism (may decline with age)
- kidney function (responsible for making urine)
- GI changes (N,V,D)
What are special considerations about fluid balance for older adults ?
- can lose the function of thirst mechanism
- hormonal changes can increase risk of fluid and electrolyte imbalances
- loss of subQ tissue can lead to increase loss of moisture
What is hyperosmolarity ?
> 295 mOsm/kg
- increased solute (Na) and decreased water
- deficit
What is hypoosmolarity ?
< 275 mOsm/kg
- decreased solute (Na) so increased water
- excess
What are causes of Fluid Volume Deficit ?
- hemorrhage
- H20 loss/perspiration
- inadequate fluid intake
- overuse of diuretics
- GI loss ( vomit, diarrhea, or suctioning)
- osmotic diuresis ( increased glucose levels)
What are some signs and symptoms of Fluid Volume Deficit ?
- thirst
- dry mucous membranes
- cold, clammy skin
- weight loss
- decreased urine output and concentrated urine
- decreased skin turgor
- postural hypotension
- tachycardia and increased respirations
- seizures/coma
- confusion and restlessness
What is the best indicator for fluid volume gain/loss ?
daily weights
- 1 L of fluid= 1 kg body weight
- weight everyday preferable in the morning
What are other ways to assess fluid volume status ?
- I and O’s
- skin turgor
- urine specific gravity
- serum/blood osmolality
What does urine specific gravity say about fluid volume status ?
normal= 1.010-1.025
- elevated= urine is concentrated (fluid deficit)
- low= urine is dilute (fluid excess)
What does serum/blood osmolality say about fluid volume status ?
- elevated= fluid deficit
- low= fluid excess
What is normal plasma osmolality ?
280-295 mOsm/kg
What is hyperosmolality ?
greater than 295 mOsm/kg
- increased solute (Na), too little water (water deficit)
What is hypoosmolality ?
less than 275 mOsm/kg
- decreased solute (Na), too much water (water excess)
What does an elevated Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) tell you ?
not enough urine to excrete the urea/nitrogen
- so the levels are elevated
- sign of dehydration of renal insufficiency
What are some causes of fluid volume excess ?
- excess Iso/Hypotonic IV fluids
- heart failure
- renal/kidney failure
- syndrome of inappropriate ADH
- polydipsia
- cushing syndrome
- corticosteroids
What are some S&S of fluid volume excess ?
- weight gain
- peripheral edema
- jugular venous distension
- respiratory crackles, dyspnea
- S3 heart sound
- bounding pulse
- elevated BP
- seizures/coma
- confusion & changed in LOC
- HA
If you have fluid volume excess, how may your RBCs appear ?
RBCs counts may appear low due to dilution of the blood
What is tx for fluid volume excess ?
- diuretics
- fluid restriction
- paracentesis or thoracentesis if fluid is in the peritoneal or thoracic cavity
- skin care
- elevate edematous extremities (not if pt’s has HF because it puts extra work on the heart and fluid goes to the heart)
What are some facts about Furosemide (Lasix) ?
Loop diuretic
- Assessments: I&O’s, BP (can decrease), assess for fluid excess/deficit, Potassium levels
- Admin: given PO or IV push (when IV push give slow if not it can cause ototoxicity so it can cause ears to ring and temporary hearing loss)
- Adverse Effects: dehydration (too much urine output), Hypokalemia
For Hypotonic fluids, does the water move into or out of the cells ?
will move water into the cells
- cells swell