Fluids and Electrolytes Flashcards
Isotonic dehydration
Water and electrolytes are lost in equal proportions.
Leads to decreased blood volume and tissue perfusion.
Hypertonic dehydration
Water loss exceeds electrolyte loss
Fluid moves from the intracellular space into the plasma and interstitial fluid causing cellular dehydration and shrinkage.
Hypotonic dehydration
Electrolyte loss exceeds water loss.
Fluid moves from the interstitial space and plasma into the intracellular space causing plasma fluid deficit and swelling in the cells.
Causes of isotonic dehydration
- Inadequate intake of fluids and solutes
- Fluid shifts between compartments
- Excessive losses of isotonic body fluids
Causes of hypertonic dehydration
Increase fluid loss:
- Excessive perspiration
- Hyperventilation
- Ketoacidosis
- Prolonged fevers
- Diarrhea
- Early stage kidney disease
Causes of hypotonic dehydration
- Chronic illness
- Excessive hypotonic fluid replacement
- Kidney disease
- Chronic malnutrition
Assessment of fluid volume deficit
- Thready fast pulse, diminished peripheral pulses
- Dysrhythmias
- Increased rate and depth of respirations
- Diminished CNS: lethargy to coma
- Decreased urine output
- Poor turgor, dry skin and mouth
- Decreased motility and BS, constipation
Hypovolemia laboratory findings
- Increased serum osmolarity
- Increased hematoma
- Increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
- Increased serum sodium
- Increased urinary specific gravity
Hypovolemia interventions
- Monitor patient assessment
- Prevent further fluid loss
- Provide oral hydration of possible, IV replacement if severe
- Monitor intake and output
- Depending on cause administer antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, antiemetic or antipyretic
Causes Isotonic hypervolemia
- Inadequately controlled IV therapy
- Kidney disease
- Long term corticosteroid therapy
Causes of hypertonic hypervolemia
- Excessive sodium ingestion
- Rapid infusion or hypertonic saline
- Excessive sodium bicarbonate therapy
Causes of hypotonic hypervolemia
- Early kidney disease
- Heart failure
- Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion
- Inadequately controlled IV therapy
- Replacement of isotonic fluid loss with hypotonic fluids
- Irrigation of wounds and body cavities with hypotonic fluids
Assessment of hypervolemia
- Bounding increased bounding pulse and hypertension
- Distention of veins, elevated CVP, dysrhythmias
- Increased RR, dyspnea, crackles on auscultation
- Altered level of consciousness
- Headache, visual disturbance, muscle weakness, paresthesia
- Increased urine output if kidneys can compensate
- Pitting edema
- Increased motility and BS diarrhea , liver enlargement, ascites
Hypervolemia laboratory findings
- Decreased serum osmolarity
- Decreased hematocrit
Decreased BUN level - Decreased serum sodium level
- Decreased urine specific gravity
Hypervolemia interventions
- Monitor assessment
- Prevent further overload and restore balance
- Administer diuretics, osmotic diuretics may be prescribed to prevent sever electrolyte imbalances
- Restrict fluid and sodium intake
- Monitor intake and output + weight
- Monitor electrolyte values