2026 NURSING 112 EVALUATION QUESTIONS
Routes of Loss of Fluid and Electrolytes - Medications may cause this
Kidney: urine output
Skin loss: sensible, insensible losses
Lungs
GI tract
Other
Fluid and Electrolyte balance Across the Lifespan - Reduced homeostatic
mechanisms: cardiac, renal, respiratory function
Decreased body fluid percentage
Medication use
Presence of concomitant conditions
Older adults tend to be dry, have poor skin turgor, their oral mucosa is usually dry, they do not
have the best fluid balance because it is more difficult to maintain
Infant/Toddlers:
Dehydrate easily...DO NOT REMOVE FLUID QUICKLY
Ensure adequate intake of fluids/electrolytes
Causes:
Diarrhea
,Vomiting
Geriatric:
Dehydrate easily
Ensure adequate intake of fluids/electrolytes
Causes:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Mental disorders
Infant/Toddlers:
Removing fluid quickly causes pt to decompensate...pt will have tachypnea in excess of >60
breaths/min
Geriatric:
Daily weights
Skin turgor
Slowing of blood flow
Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances - Fluid volume deficit: hypovolemia
What are some signs/symptoms of HYPOvolemia?
Decreased BP, increased HR
Fluid volume excess: hypervolemia
What are some signs/symptoms of HYPERvolemia?
Edema, high BP, fast HR, crackles in the lungs
, Fluid Volume Deficit - Loss of extracellular fluid exceeds intake ratio of water
Electrolytes lost in same proportion as they exist in normal body fluids
Dehydration: loss of water along with increased serum sodium level
May occur in combination with other imbalances
Causes: fluid loss from vomiting, diarrhea, GI suctioning, sweating, decreased intake, inability to
gain access to fluid
Risk factors: diabetes insipidus, adrenal insufficiency, osmotic diuresis, hemorrhage, coma,
third-space shifts
If you have hypovolemia your sodium is increased due to increased concentration as fluid leaves
BMP is done to check out the electrolytes
Start IV fluids if they have V/ diarrhea, meds to stop them from vomiting and having diarrhea
Manifestations: rapid weight loss, decreased skin turgor, oliguria, concentrated urine, postural
hypotension, rapid weak pulse, increased temperature, cool clammy skin due to
vasoconstriction, lassitude (lack of energy), thirst, nausea, muscle weakness, cramps
Laboratory data: elevated BUN in relation to serum creatinine, increased hematocrit
Serum electrolyte changes may occur
Medical management: provide fluids to meet body needs
Oral fluids
IV solutions
Best way to check fluid levels is daily weights, urine output, skin turgor, BMP
Normal hemoglobin is 10-12 ish and that can increase if you are hypovolemic because of
increased concentration
Fluid Volume Deficit Nursing Management - I&O, daily weight, vital signs
, Daily weights tell A LOT about fluid volume!!!
Monitor for symptoms: skin and tongue turgor, mucosa, urine output, mental status
Measures to minimize fluid loss
Oral care
Administration of oral fluids
Administration of parenteral fluids
Do a swallow study or make sure that they can swallow before we start giving PO meds and all
that
Fluid Volume Excess: Nursing Management - I&O and daily weights; assess lung
sounds, edema, other symptoms
Monitor responses to medications—diuretics
Promote adherence to fluid restrictions, patient teaching related to sodium and fluid restrictions
Monitor, avoid sources of excessive sodium, including medications
Promote rest
Semi-Fowler's position for orthopnea
Skin care, positioning/turning
Can have acid-base imbalances r/t fluid imbalances
Electrolyte Ranges - Sodium: hyponatremia, hypernatremia
Range: 135-145 mEq/L
Routes of Loss of Fluid and Electrolytes - Medications may cause this
Kidney: urine output
Skin loss: sensible, insensible losses
Lungs
GI tract
Other
Fluid and Electrolyte balance Across the Lifespan - Reduced homeostatic
mechanisms: cardiac, renal, respiratory function
Decreased body fluid percentage
Medication use
Presence of concomitant conditions
Older adults tend to be dry, have poor skin turgor, their oral mucosa is usually dry, they do not
have the best fluid balance because it is more difficult to maintain
Infant/Toddlers:
Dehydrate easily...DO NOT REMOVE FLUID QUICKLY
Ensure adequate intake of fluids/electrolytes
Causes:
Diarrhea
,Vomiting
Geriatric:
Dehydrate easily
Ensure adequate intake of fluids/electrolytes
Causes:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Mental disorders
Infant/Toddlers:
Removing fluid quickly causes pt to decompensate...pt will have tachypnea in excess of >60
breaths/min
Geriatric:
Daily weights
Skin turgor
Slowing of blood flow
Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances - Fluid volume deficit: hypovolemia
What are some signs/symptoms of HYPOvolemia?
Decreased BP, increased HR
Fluid volume excess: hypervolemia
What are some signs/symptoms of HYPERvolemia?
Edema, high BP, fast HR, crackles in the lungs
, Fluid Volume Deficit - Loss of extracellular fluid exceeds intake ratio of water
Electrolytes lost in same proportion as they exist in normal body fluids
Dehydration: loss of water along with increased serum sodium level
May occur in combination with other imbalances
Causes: fluid loss from vomiting, diarrhea, GI suctioning, sweating, decreased intake, inability to
gain access to fluid
Risk factors: diabetes insipidus, adrenal insufficiency, osmotic diuresis, hemorrhage, coma,
third-space shifts
If you have hypovolemia your sodium is increased due to increased concentration as fluid leaves
BMP is done to check out the electrolytes
Start IV fluids if they have V/ diarrhea, meds to stop them from vomiting and having diarrhea
Manifestations: rapid weight loss, decreased skin turgor, oliguria, concentrated urine, postural
hypotension, rapid weak pulse, increased temperature, cool clammy skin due to
vasoconstriction, lassitude (lack of energy), thirst, nausea, muscle weakness, cramps
Laboratory data: elevated BUN in relation to serum creatinine, increased hematocrit
Serum electrolyte changes may occur
Medical management: provide fluids to meet body needs
Oral fluids
IV solutions
Best way to check fluid levels is daily weights, urine output, skin turgor, BMP
Normal hemoglobin is 10-12 ish and that can increase if you are hypovolemic because of
increased concentration
Fluid Volume Deficit Nursing Management - I&O, daily weight, vital signs
, Daily weights tell A LOT about fluid volume!!!
Monitor for symptoms: skin and tongue turgor, mucosa, urine output, mental status
Measures to minimize fluid loss
Oral care
Administration of oral fluids
Administration of parenteral fluids
Do a swallow study or make sure that they can swallow before we start giving PO meds and all
that
Fluid Volume Excess: Nursing Management - I&O and daily weights; assess lung
sounds, edema, other symptoms
Monitor responses to medications—diuretics
Promote adherence to fluid restrictions, patient teaching related to sodium and fluid restrictions
Monitor, avoid sources of excessive sodium, including medications
Promote rest
Semi-Fowler's position for orthopnea
Skin care, positioning/turning
Can have acid-base imbalances r/t fluid imbalances
Electrolyte Ranges - Sodium: hyponatremia, hypernatremia
Range: 135-145 mEq/L
