Fluid and Electrolyte Management Flashcards
1
Q
Who needs fluid and electrolyte management?
A
- Confused, comatose or bedridden patients
- Nil by mouth
- Polypharmacy
- Chronic diseases
- Trauma
- Surgery
2
Q
Why is important to management fluid and electrolytes in children and infants?
A
- body is composed of more water
- higher turnover of intake/output
- poor adjustment to water loss and water overload
- immature kidneys
3
Q
Explain the difference between hypovolaemia and hypervolaemia.
A
HYPOVOLAEMIA
- isotonic fluid loss
- water and electrolyte lost in same proportion as they normally exist in ECF
- ratio of serum electrolytes to water remains the same
HYPERVOLAEMIA
- abnormal retention of water and sodium in about the same proportions in which they normally exist in the ECF
- secondary to increase in total body sodium content leading to increase in total body water
4
Q
Name four clinical manifestations of hypovolaemia.
A
- changes in mental state
- acute weight loss
- restless, anxious
- postural hypotension
- thirst
- oliguria with concentrated urine
- cool, clammy skin
- weak pulse rate
5
Q
What is the nursing management for hypovolaemia?
A
- assess and document
- fluid balance chart
- daily weigh
- document patient response to interventions
- administer ordered fluids as per ordered time frame
- monitor pathology results
- patient teaching
- hygiene and comfort measures
6
Q
What are the clinical manifestations of hypervolaemia?
A
- weight gain
- cardiovascular symptoms
- oedema
- respiratory symptoms
7
Q
What is the nursing management for patients with hypovolaemia?
A
- assess and document
- vital signs
- fluid balance chart
- medications
- daily weight
- dietary/fluid restriction
- patient teaching
- note breathing sounds
- monitor IV fluids
- monitor oedema
- skin care
- mouth care if fluid restricted
8
Q
Name the common mistakes in intake/output monitoring.
A
- discarding body fluid without measuring
- patient non-compliance
- incorrect measurement of oral fluids
- overestimating fluid intake from ice chips
- failing to record accurately
