FLUIDS and ELECTROLYTES BODY FLUIDS Functions of Fluids Body fluids: Facilitate in the transport [nutrients, hormones, proteins, & others…] Aid in removal

FLUIDS and ELECTROLYTES

BODY FLUIDS

Functions of Fluids

Body fluids: Facilitate in the transport [nutrients,

hormones, proteins, & others…] Aid in removal of cellular metabolic

wastes Provide medium for cellular

metabolism Regulate body temperature Provide lubrication of musculoskeletal

jts. Component in all body cavities

[parietal, pleural… fluids]

Water is the principal body fluid & essential for life.

FLUIDS and ELECTROLYTESFLUIDS and ELECTROLYTES

BODY FLUIDS

ICF ECF

40% TBW 20% TBW

P IS

Distribution of Body Fluids – 50-70% of total body weight;

infant [70-80%], elderly [45-50%]

60-kg manTBW = 0.6 x 60 kg = 3.6 L

ICF = 0.4 x 60 kg = 24 L

ECF = 12 L

3L 9L


BODY FLUIDS

Factors that Dictate Body Water Requirement

1) Amount needed to give the proper osmotic concentration

2) Amount needed to replace water lost excretion

Normal Routes of water gain and loss

INTAKE OUTPUTml/day ml/day

Fluid intake 1,200Food 1,000Metabolic water 300

TOTAL 2,500

Insensible loss 700Sweat 100Feces 200Urine 1,500

TOTAL 2,500


FLUID EXCHANGE BETWEEN BODY FLUID COMPARTMENTS

Osmotic Pressure Gradient

Oncotic P (Colloid osmotic P)

Capillary P (Hydrostatic P)

ICF ECF

P ISF


Control of Osmotic Pressure, Volume & Electrolyte Concentration

OBLIGATORY Reabsorption occurs in the proximal tubules 178 L/day of glomerular filtrate (80%

reabsorbed) 2 to solute reabsorption independent of the water requirement

FACULTATIVE Reabsorption occurs in the distal & collecting tubules independent of the active solute transport dependent of body’s need of water under the control of ADH


DISTURBANCES IN FLUID BALANCE

EDEMA (Dropsy)

in the interstitial fluid volume of about 2 L or more due to increase transudation of fluid from capillaries 2° to:

Increased HP [pregnancy, CHF] Decreased OP [malnutrition, end-stage

liver dse, nephrotic syndrome]



CELL OVERHYDRATION

excess of water in the ECC w/ a normal amount of solute or a deficient amount of solute

occurs in prolonged and excessive diuresis, forcing hypotonic fluids to produce diuresis in the presence of renal impairment

fluid overload from production of adrenal corticoid hormones [Cushing’s syndrome]



CELL OVERHYDRATION

Symptoms Weight gain & edema Cough, moist rales, dyspnea [fluid

congestion in lungs] CVP, bounding pulse,neck vein

engorgement [fluid excess in the vascular system]

Bulging fontanelles Hg and Hct Nausea & vomiting



CELL OVERHYDRATION

Management Restrict fluids to lower fluid volume Diuretics or hypertonic saline Continuous assessments to prevent skin

breakdown Record daily weight to assess progress of

treatment



CELL DEHYDRATION (DHN) loss of body fluids, particularly from the

extracellular fluid compartment water loss > water intake

Causes Fever Insufficient water intake Diarrhea, vomiting Excess urine output [Diabetes insipidus,

diuretics] Excessive perspiration, burns Hemorrhage, shock, metabolic acidosis



CELL DEHYDRATION (DHN)

Symptoms Thirst, dry mucus membranes, sunken

eyeballs “Doughy“ abdomen, dry skin w/ poor

turgor temp, weight loss HR, RR, BP Restlessness,irritability, disorientation,

convulsion, coma [22-30% body H20 loss] Management

Fluid replacement therapy & continued fluid maintenance


Volume Disorders 2° Alteration in Sodium Balance

Expansion Isotonic Inc N No net change Isotonic fluid

ingestion Hypertonic Inc Dec ICF ECF Sea water

ingestion Hypotonic Inc Inc ECF ICF Hypotonic IVF

Contraction Isotonic Dec N No net change Diarrhea Hypertonic Dec Dec ICF ECF Diabetes insipidus Hypotonic Dec Inc ECF ICF Addison’s dse

Volume ECF ICF Water Conditions Disorder Vol. Vol. Shift


ELECTROLYTES

salts or minerals in extracellular or intracellular body fluids

Sodium – major cation of ECF

Potassium – major cation of ICF

Chloride - major anion of ICF

Protein – in ICF > ISF


ELECTROLYTE Composition

Electrolyte Conc Plasma (mEq/L) ISF ICF

Sodium, Na+ 142 141 10 Potassium, K+ 5 4.1 150Calcium, Ca++ 5 4.1 -Magnesium, Mg++ 3 3 40

(155)Chloride, Cl- 103 115 15Bicarbonate, HCO3- 27 29 10Biphosphate, HPO4- 2 2 100Sulfate, SO4-2 1 1 20Protein 16 1 60Organic foods 6 3.4 -

(155)


ELECTROLYTES

Functions of Electrolytes

Contribute most of the osmotically active particles in body fluids

Provide buffer systems for pH regulation

Provide the proper ionic environment for normal neuromuscular irritability & tissue function


Hyponatremia [Na+ < 135 mEq/L; Normal = 135-145 mEq/L]

Causes Na+ intake Na+ excretion [diaphoresis, GI

suctioning] Adrenal insufficiency

Assessment N & V, abdominal cramps, weight loss Cold, clammy skin, skin turgor Apprehension, HA, convulsions, focal

neurologic deficit, coma [cerebral edema]

Fatigue, postural hypotension Rapid thready pulse

ELECTROLYTES


Hyponatremia [Na+ < 135 mEq/L; Normal = 135-145 mEq/L]

Management Provide foods high in sodium Administer NSS IV Assess blood pressure frequently

[measure lying down, sitting & standing]

ELECTROLYTES


Hypernatremia [Na+ >145 mEq/L; Normal = 135-145 mEq/L]

Causes Excessive, rapid IV adm’n of NSS Inadequate water intake Kidney disease

Assessment Dry, sticky mucus membranes Flushed skin Rough dry tongue, firm skin turgor Intense thirst Edema, oliguria to anuria Restlessness, irritability [cerebral DHN]

ELECTROLYTES


Hypernatremia [Na+ >145 mEq/L; Normal = 135-145 mEq/L]

Nursing Intervention Weigh daily Assess degree of edema frequently Measure I & O Assess skin frequently & institute nursing

measures to prevent breakdown Encourage sodium-restricted diet

ELECTROLYTES


Hyperkalemia [K+ > 5.5 mEq/L; Normal = 3.5-5.5 mEq/L]

Causes Renal insufficiency Adrenocortical insufficiency Cellulose damage [burns] Infection Acidotic states Rapid infusion of IV sol’n w/ potassium-

conserving diuretics

ELECTROLYTES



Assessment Thready, slow pulse Shallow breathing N & V, diarrhea, intestinal colic Irritability Muscle weakness, flaccid paralysis Numbness, tingling Difficulty w/ phonation, respiration

ELECTROLYTES



Nursing Interventions Administer kayexalate as ordered Administer/monitor IV infusion of

glucose & insulin Control infection Provide adequate calories &

carbohydrates Discontinue IV or oral sources of K+

ELECTROLYTES


Hypokalemia [K+ < 3.5 mEq/L; Normal = 3.5-5.5 mEq/L]

Causes Renal insufficiency Adrenocortical insufficiency Cellulose damage [burns] Infection Acidotic states Rapid infusion of IV sol’n w/ potassium-

conserving diuretics

ELECTROLYTES



Assessment Thready, rapid, weak pulse Faint heart sounds BP Skeletal muscle weakness or absent reflexes Shallow respirations Malaise, apathy, lethargy Loss of orientation Anorexia, vomiting, weight loss Gaseous intestinal distention

ELECTROLYTES



Nursing Interventions Administer K+ supplements to replace

losses Be cautious in administering drugs

that are not potassium-sparing Monitor acid-base balance Monitor pulse, BP and ECG

ELECTROLYTES


Hypercalcemia [Ca > 5.8 mEq/L; Normal = 4.5-5.8 mEq/L]

Causes Hyperparathyroidism Immobility Increased vitamin D intake Osteoporosis & osteomalacia [early

stages]

Assessment N & V, anorexia, constipation Headache, confusion Lethargy, stupor Decreased muscle tone Deep bone/flank pain

ELECTROLYTES


Hypercalcemia [Ca > 5.8 mEq/L; Normal = 4.5-5.8 mEq/L]

Nursing Interventions Encourage mobilization Limit vitamin D intake Limit calcium intake Normal saline Administer diuretics Calcitonin

ELECTROLYTES


Hypocalcemia [Ca < 4.5 mEq/L; Normal = 4.5-5.8 mEq/L]

Causes Acute pancreatitis Diarrhea Hypoparathyroidism Lack of vitamin D I the diet Long-term steroid therapy

Assessment Painful tonic muscle & facial spasms Fatigue, dyspnea Laryngospasm, convulsions (+) Trousseau’s and Chvostek’s signs

ELECTROLYTES


Hypocalcemia [Ca < 4.5 mEq/L; Normal = 4.5-5.8 mEq/L]

Nursing Interventions Administer oral Ca lactate or IV CaCl2

or gluconate Providing safety by padding side rails Administer dietary sources of calcium Vitamin D Provide quiet environment

ELECTROLYTES


Hyermagnesemia [Mg > 3.0 mEq/L; Normal = 1.5-3.0 mEq/L]

Causes Renal insufficiency, dehydration Excessive use of Mg-containing antacids

or laxatives Assessment

Lethargy, somnolence, confusion N & V Muscle weakness, depressed reflexes pulse and respirations

Nursing Intervention Withhold Mg-cont’g drugs/foods; Ca

adm’n fluid intake, unless CI

ELECTROLYTES


Hypomagnesemia [Mg < 1.50 mEq/L; Normal = 1.5-3.0 mEq/L]

Causes Low intake of Mg in the diet Prolonged diarrhea Massive diuresis Hypoparathyroidism

Assessment Paresthesias, muscle spasm Confusion, hallucination, convulsions Ataxia, tremors, hyperactive deep

reflexes Flushing of the face, diaphoresis

Nursing Intervention Provide good dietary sources of Mg

ELECTROLYTES


IV FLUID REPLACEMENT THERAPY

Indications

Replacement of abnormal fluid & electrolyte losses [surgery, trauma, burns, GI bleeding]

Maintenance of daily fluid & electrolyte needs

Correction of fluid disorders

Correction of electrolyte disorders


IV FLUID REPLACEMENT THERAPY

Types of Solutions

Isotonic 0.9% sodium chloride (NSS) Lactated Ringer’s sol’n

Hypotonic 5% dextrose and water (D5W) 0.45% sodium chloride 0.33% sodium chloride

Hypertonic 3% NaCl Protein sol’ns

Colloids Salt pour albumin Plasmanate, Dextran

Documents

FLUIDS and ELECTROLYTES BODY FLUIDS Functions of Fluids Body fluids: Facilitate in the transport [nutrients, hormones, proteins, & others…] Aid in removal