Fluid & Electrolytes Part 2 (A) Flashcards
Homeostasis =
Body’s natural balance
Homeostasis is achieved when what characteristics of body fluids remain in balance?
Volume, Concentration (Osmolality), Composition (Electrolyte Composition), Acidity (pH)
Lack of just fluid =
Dehydration
Lack of water + electrolytes =
Hypovolemia
Hypovolemia is a -
Fluid volume deficit
Hypovolemia can be thought of as-
Isotonic dehydration
Lack of circulating volume =
Fluid volume deficit
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) is a lab value that does what?
Measures the amount of urea nitrogen levels in the blood.
A BUN helps the provider determine -
If the kidney’s are properly functioning
Hematocrit is a part of the-
Complete Blood Panel (CBC)
The hematocrit lab value helps measure-
The % of RBC’s in the blood
The Urine Specific Gravity compares-
The density of your urine to the density of water
Urine Specific Gravity helps identify if the PT has -
Dehydration, kidney problems, or diabetes insipidus
When a PT’s body is dry, the BUN and Urine Specific Gravity are all-
Elevated
Causes of Hypovolemia:
GI Loss + Excessive Loss via Skin + Excessive Renal Loss + Third Spacing + Hemorrhage + Alteration in Intake of Fluids + Meds + Underlying healthcare conditions + Decline in total body fluid that they have + Decreased kidney function
What is Third Spacing?
When the fluid shifts from the Intravascular space (veins) to the interstitial (or third space)
Who’s at risk for hypovolemia and why?
Older adults have a decreased thirst response.
Infants & young children have an increased metabolic rate & increased body water content.
The most common cause of dehydration is-
Vomiting + Diarrhea
Mild to moderate dehydration can be treated with oral rehydration solutions in-
Small increments (5-10 ml) every 5-10 minutes to see if they can tolerate it
Dehydration Causes:
Hyperventilation + Excessive perspiration + Prolonged fever + Diabetic ketoacidosis (KDA) + Inadequate water consumption + Diabetes insipidus + Osmotic diuretics + Excessive sodium intake + Excessive hypertonic fluids
Expected findings of hypovolemia:
Alterations in vital signs + Neuromuscular alterations + GI effects + Renal Effects + Other
What alterations in vitals can you expect from a hypovolemia PT?
Hypothermia (low body temp) + Tachycardia (this is the body’s attempt to maintain normal BP) + Thready pulse (due to decreased blood volume) + Hypotension + Orthostatic hypotension (due to low amount of circulating blood volume) + Decreased central venous pressure + Tachypnea (to compensate for lack of blood volume) + Hypoxia
What neuromuscular alterations can you expect from a hypovolemia PT?
Dizziness + Syncope + Confusion + Weakness + Fatigue
What GI Effects can you expect from a hypovolemia PT?
Thirst (one of the first signs of the earliest signs of fluid volume depletion) + Dry furrowed tongue + Nausea + Vomiting + Anorexia + Acute weight loss
What Renal Effects can you expect from a hypovolemia PT?
Oliguria (decreased urine production + concentration of urine)
Aside from alterations in vitals, neuromuscular effects, GI effects, and renal effects, what other things can you expect to find in a hypovolemia PT?
Decreased cap refill + Cool clammy skin + Diaphoresis + Sunken eyeballs + Flattened neck veins + Poor skin turgor & tenting + Weight loss
What happens to Anti-Diuretic Hormone (ADH) in hypovolemia?
It Increases
Why does ADH increase when you have hypovolemia?
Because you need to retain water
More ADH =
More body water
More body water =
Less urine output
Name off 6 expected findings of hypovolemia:
Hypovolemia effects are greater in older adults + Loss of Elasticity + Decreased GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) + Concentrating ability of the kidneys + Loss of muscle mass + Decreased thirst sensation
Muscle holds-
More body water
Adipose tissue holds-
Less body water
Dehydration can have what as a cause or finding?
A fever
Rapid & severe dehydration can cause a PT to have-
Seizures
What do Hematocrit (HCT) levels look like in hypovolemic PT’s?
High
BUN levels should look like what in hypovolemic PT’s?
High (Above 25mg/dL) due to hemoconcentration
Urine Specific Gravity should look like what in hypovolemic PT’s?
High (greater than 1.030)
Blood Sodium should look like what in dehydrated PT’s?
High (greater than 145 mEq/L)
Blood Osmolality should be high in-
Dehydrated PT’s + Hypernatremia PT’s
Fluid loss due to a hemorrhage cause there to be-
No Hemoconcentration, which means that there should be a low BUN (Because you’re losing a lot of blood)
Normal BUN values =
8 - 25 mg/dL
Normal HCT levels =
36 - 54%
Minimum accepted urinary output =
30 ml/hour
Hemoconcentration =
Everything becomes more concentrated
What is hemoconcentration caused by?
A fluid volume deficit
Does HCT get higher or lower when you’re dry?
Higher
The volume of the RBC’s in 100 mL’s is expressed as a -
Percentage (This is how you determine hemoconcentration)
How does a nurse manage a PT with hypovolemia?
Oral or IV Therapy + Strict Input & Output + Monitor Vital Signs + Monitor changes in mental status + Monitor weight daily + Assess Gait + PT should change positions slowly + Replace fluids & electrolytes (Can be done with LR for balancing fluid and electrolytes, 0.9% normal saline for rapid volume replacement, or a blood transfusion if due to blood loss)
Monitoring weight is the-
Most accurate measurement of fluid gain / loss
Are hypovolemic PT’s a fall risk?
Yes
What would you want to educate a dehydration PT about?
Tell them to increase fluid intake.
Educate them on the causes of dehydration.
Causes of dehydration include:
Vomiting, Wound Exudate, Diarrhea, or Excessive Ostomy Losses
Occurs with significant loss of blood (lost ~ 1/5th of blood in the body) =
Hypovolemic Shock
Hypovolemic shock manifestations include:
Slowed tissue perfusion, decreased perfusion, cells become unable to carry enough oxygen because of loss of RBC’s
Nursing Actions for Hypovolemic Shock include:
Oxygen administration + Monitor oxygen saturation (<70% = medical emergency) + Stay with PT if unstable + Check vital signs every 15 minutes + Administer fluid replacement (Colloids / Crystalloids) + Vasoconstrictors (dopamine, norepinephrine, phenylephrine) + Agents to improve myocardial perfusion (sodium nitroprusside) + Positive inotropic meds (Dobutamine, milrinone) + Hemodynamic monitoring.
Dont need to know meds yet. Yippee!
Why do male adults have more water?
Lean body mass holds more water. Adult males have more lean body mass
Adipose has less water, so this puts what age/ gender demographic at the most risk?
Older Adult Females
Who is most at risk of Fluid Volume Deficit (FVD) and why?
Obese, Older Adults.
Fat cells = less water.
Older adults have less need for ICF + have more body fat.
1 L =
2.2 lbs
2% Weight Loss =
Mild Fluid Loss
5% Weight Loss =
Marked/ Moderate Fluid Loss
8% Fluid Loss =
Severe Fluid Loss
Overhydration causes:
Excessive intake.
Ineffective removal from the body.
Excess fluid/water can cause -
Hemodilation
Excess fluid can be called-
Fluid Overload
Excess water + electrolytes =
Hypervolemia
Excessive sodium causes-
Fluid Retention