What is fluid electrolyte and acid-base balance?
Electrolytes are minerals in your body that have an electric charge. They are in your blood, urine, tissues, and other body fluids. Electrolytes are important because they help: Balance the amount of water in your body. Balance your body’s acid/base (pH) level.
What are the nursing responsibilities in monitoring fluid and electrolyte balance?
The nurse must be alert for central nervous system changes such as lethargy, seizures, confusion, and muscle twitching. Diet. The nurse must encourage intake of electrolytes that are deficient or restrict intake if the electrolyte levels are excessive.
What are nursing interventions for electrolyte imbalance?
Nursing Interventions for Risk for Electrolyte Imbalance. Supply balanced electrolyte IV solutions as directed. Lactated Ringer’s solution has an electrolyte concentration similar to that of extracellular fluid. Isotonic saline (0.9% sodium chloride) may contribute to hypernatremia if used in a long period of time.
What is fluid balance in nursing?
Fluid balance is a term used to describe the balance of input and output of fluids in the body, to allow metabolic processes to function properly.
What is fluid and acid-base balance and why is it so important?
Your blood needs the right balance of acidic and basic (alkaline) compounds to function properly. This is called the acid-base balance. Your kidneys and lungs work to maintain the acid-base balance. Even slight variations from the normal range can have significant effects on your vital organs.
How do you maintain fluid and electrolyte balance?
Several strategies can help keep your electrolytes in balance:
- Eat a balanced, healthy diet which includes foods that contain electrolytes.
- Drink plenty of water, but don’t overdo it.
- Don’t overuse over-the-counter diuretics or take them for a prolonged period of time without your doctor’s approval.
- Don’t overuse salt.
What are nursing interventions for deficient fluid volume?
Nursing Interventions for Fluid Volume Deficit
- Urge the patient to drink the prescribed amount of fluid.
- Aid the patient if they cannot eat without assistance, and encourage the family or SO to assist with feedings as necessary.
- Provide a comfortable environment by covering the patient with light sheets.
What are nursing interventions for dehydration?
Nursing Care Plan for Dehydration 1
| Nursing Interventions for Dehydration | Rationales |
|---|---|
| Start intravenous therapy as prescribed. Encourage oral fluid intake. | To replenish the fluids lost from profuse sweating, and to promote better blood circulation around the body. |
What factors affect fluid balance?
Illness, environmental factors, diet, and diuretics are all factors that affect the balance of fluids and electrolytes.
What is good fluid balance?
In order to maintain homeostasis, the adult human body needs a fluid intake of 2-3 litres (25-30ml / kg per day), allowing it to keep a balance of the nutrients, oxygen and water, which are necessary to preserve a stable healthy internal environment.
What is the purpose of fluid and electrolyte balance?
Electrolytes are minerals in your body that have an electric charge. They are in your blood, urine and body fluids. Maintaining the right balance of electrolytes helps your body’s blood chemistry, muscle action and other processes.
What is Plan C for dehydration?
Start rehydration by tube (or mouth) with OrS solution: give 20 ml/kg/hour for 6 hours (total of 120 ml/kg). reassess the child every 1–2 hours while waiting for transfer: If there is repeated vomiting or abdominal distension, give the fluid more slowly.
What nursing considerations will be essential to monitor in a client with dehydration?
Nursing Assessment and Rationales for Fluid Volume Deficit
- Monitor and document vital signs, especially BP and HR.
- Assess skin turgor and oral mucous membranes for signs of dehydration.
- Monitor BP for orthostatic changes (changes seen when changing from supine to standing position).
What is difference between hypokalemia and hyperkalemia?
Having too little potassium (less than 3.5 mEq/L) is called hypokalemia, while having too much (more than 5.5 mEq/L) is called hyperkalemia.
What are nursing interventions for hyperkalemia?
Nursing Management
- Monitor ins and outs.
- Check serum potassium levels.
- Follow ECG closely to look for peaked T waves.
- Educate patient on hyperkalemia.
- Administer diuretics as ordered.
- Administer insulin to lower potassium as ordered.
- Check blood glucose when administering insulin.
- Check BUN and creatinine levels.