lOMoAR cPSD| 67756003
UNIT 4: FLUIDS / ELECTROLYTES
◼ Electrolyte: Ions found in body fluids (Blood, Interstitial fluid, Intracellular fluid)
essential for nerve conduction, muscle contraction, hydration, pH balance, and many
metabolic processes. ◼ TIP!!! Where Fluids Flow, Electrolytes Go!
◼ TIP!!! Anything that depletes water or fluid (like Vomit, Urination, Diarrhea or
Sweating) will all deplete Electrolytes.
◼ Intracellular Fluid (ICF): Fluid that’s inside the cell ◼ Major electrolytes: Potassium
(K⁺), Magnesium (Mg²⁺), Phosphate (PO₄³⁻)
◼ Extracellular Fluid (ECF): Fluid that’s outside the cell ◼ Major electrolytes: Sodium
(Na⁺), Chloride (Cl⁻), Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) ◼ Subdivided into:
▪ Interstitial — Between the cells of an organ or tissue
▪ Intravascular — Plasma in blood vessels
▪ Transcellular — CSF, Cerebrospinal, Synovial, Peritoneal, Pleural
DEHYDRATION
TYPES OF FLUID LOSS
, lOMoAR cPSD| 67756003
◼ Sensible Fluid Loss (Measurable) ◼
Vomit ◼ Diarrhea ◼ Urination
◼ Insensible Fluid Loss (Not Measurable)
◼ Sweating (Diaphoresis) ◼ Respiration
CAUSES OF FLUID LOSS
◼ Diuretics Loss of fluid due to
increased urine output ◼ DKA (Diabetic
Ketoacidosis) Loss of fluid due to
polyuria Glucose pulls water out
◼ Inadequate Fluid Intake Output fluid
is more than Intake fluid ◼ Diabetes
Insipidus ADH deficiency Water
not absorbed by Kidneys
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
◼ Heart ◼ Vital Signs:
▪ Tachycardia HR First sign of Hypovolemic shock!
Tip!!!
▪ Hypotension BP
, lOMoAR cPSD| 67756003
▪ Tachypnea RR ◼ EKG Changes: Weak thready pulse ◼
Orthostatic Hypotension (Low BP upon standing) ◼ Flat veins Specifically
Neck and Hand veins
◼ Lungs ◼ Dyspnea Difficulty breathing
◼ Urinary ◼ Dark thick smelly urine ◼
Increased Urine Specific Gravity
◼ Skin ◼ Dry & flat ◼ Tough & rigid ◼ Slow
& sluggish turgor
NURSING INTERVENTIONS
◼ Weight daily Monitor patient’s gain
or loss of weight ◼ Administer IV fluids
Provide Isotonic or Hypotonic fluids as
ordered ◼ Teach the patient Causes of
dehydration ◼ Evaluate Cause of
dehydration ◼ Reposition Slowly
change patient’s body position
POTASSIUM: 3.5 — 5.0
FUNCTION
◼ Maintain Heart & Muscle contractions ◼ Manages Nerve impulses ◼
Regulated by Kidneys
UNIT 4: FLUIDS / ELECTROLYTES
◼ Electrolyte: Ions found in body fluids (Blood, Interstitial fluid, Intracellular fluid)
essential for nerve conduction, muscle contraction, hydration, pH balance, and many
metabolic processes. ◼ TIP!!! Where Fluids Flow, Electrolytes Go!
◼ TIP!!! Anything that depletes water or fluid (like Vomit, Urination, Diarrhea or
Sweating) will all deplete Electrolytes.
◼ Intracellular Fluid (ICF): Fluid that’s inside the cell ◼ Major electrolytes: Potassium
(K⁺), Magnesium (Mg²⁺), Phosphate (PO₄³⁻)
◼ Extracellular Fluid (ECF): Fluid that’s outside the cell ◼ Major electrolytes: Sodium
(Na⁺), Chloride (Cl⁻), Bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) ◼ Subdivided into:
▪ Interstitial — Between the cells of an organ or tissue
▪ Intravascular — Plasma in blood vessels
▪ Transcellular — CSF, Cerebrospinal, Synovial, Peritoneal, Pleural
DEHYDRATION
TYPES OF FLUID LOSS
, lOMoAR cPSD| 67756003
◼ Sensible Fluid Loss (Measurable) ◼
Vomit ◼ Diarrhea ◼ Urination
◼ Insensible Fluid Loss (Not Measurable)
◼ Sweating (Diaphoresis) ◼ Respiration
CAUSES OF FLUID LOSS
◼ Diuretics Loss of fluid due to
increased urine output ◼ DKA (Diabetic
Ketoacidosis) Loss of fluid due to
polyuria Glucose pulls water out
◼ Inadequate Fluid Intake Output fluid
is more than Intake fluid ◼ Diabetes
Insipidus ADH deficiency Water
not absorbed by Kidneys
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
◼ Heart ◼ Vital Signs:
▪ Tachycardia HR First sign of Hypovolemic shock!
Tip!!!
▪ Hypotension BP
, lOMoAR cPSD| 67756003
▪ Tachypnea RR ◼ EKG Changes: Weak thready pulse ◼
Orthostatic Hypotension (Low BP upon standing) ◼ Flat veins Specifically
Neck and Hand veins
◼ Lungs ◼ Dyspnea Difficulty breathing
◼ Urinary ◼ Dark thick smelly urine ◼
Increased Urine Specific Gravity
◼ Skin ◼ Dry & flat ◼ Tough & rigid ◼ Slow
& sluggish turgor
NURSING INTERVENTIONS
◼ Weight daily Monitor patient’s gain
or loss of weight ◼ Administer IV fluids
Provide Isotonic or Hypotonic fluids as
ordered ◼ Teach the patient Causes of
dehydration ◼ Evaluate Cause of
dehydration ◼ Reposition Slowly
change patient’s body position
POTASSIUM: 3.5 — 5.0
FUNCTION
◼ Maintain Heart & Muscle contractions ◼ Manages Nerve impulses ◼
Regulated by Kidneys
