Fluid and Electrolytes
Hypovolemia Signs and Symptoms or
• fluid volume deficit (abnormal loss of body fluids)
Expected Findings
• causes
Vital Signs
• hyperthermia
• tachycardia
Neuromusculoskeletal • thready pulse
• dizziness • hypotension
• syncope • orthostatic hypotension
• confusion • decreased CVP
‣ NG suction
• weakness • tachypnea
‣ diarrhea
‣ fistula drainage • fatigue
Renal
• oliguria (decreased GI
• production and • thirst
concentration of • dry furrowed tongue
urine) • nausea
• vomiting
• anorexia
• acute weight loss
• urine specific gravity elevated Other Findings Include:
• blood osmolality: elevated • diminished cap refill
• serum potassium • cool clammy skin
• diaphoresis
• flattened neck veins
• poor skin turgor
Complications
• hypovolemic shock
, Hematocrit Normal Ranges
• females
Urine Specific Gravity BUN Creatinine
• 1.010 - 1.030 • 10-20 mg/dL • 0.6-1.2 mg/d
Signs and Symptoms of Fluid Excess
• edema
Hypervolemia • distended neck veins and increased urinary output
• excessive intake of fluids, abnormal retention of fluids (HF);
• tachycardia
overload or malfunction of homeostatic mechanisms for fluid
• hypertension
balance
• JVD
• causes
• S3 heart sound
• bounding pulses
• tachypnea
• increased CVP
• crackles in the lungs/ dyspnea, cough
•
Neuromuscular
• weakness
• visual changes
• paresthesia
• altered level of consciousness
• seizures— if severe, sudden hyponatremia/water excess
•
GI LABS
• ascites • decreased BUN
• increased motility • decreased
• liver enlargement
• edema
• client education • everything diluted
Fluid and Electrolytes
Hypovolemia Signs and Symptoms or
• fluid volume deficit (abnormal loss of body fluids)
Expected Findings
• causes
Vital Signs
• hyperthermia
• tachycardia
Neuromusculoskeletal • thready pulse
• dizziness • hypotension
• syncope • orthostatic hypotension
• confusion • decreased CVP
‣ NG suction
• weakness • tachypnea
‣ diarrhea
‣ fistula drainage • fatigue
Renal
• oliguria (decreased GI
• production and • thirst
concentration of • dry furrowed tongue
urine) • nausea
• vomiting
• anorexia
• acute weight loss
• urine specific gravity elevated Other Findings Include:
• blood osmolality: elevated • diminished cap refill
• serum potassium • cool clammy skin
• diaphoresis
• flattened neck veins
• poor skin turgor
Complications
• hypovolemic shock
, Hematocrit Normal Ranges
• females
Urine Specific Gravity BUN Creatinine
• 1.010 - 1.030 • 10-20 mg/dL • 0.6-1.2 mg/d
Signs and Symptoms of Fluid Excess
• edema
Hypervolemia • distended neck veins and increased urinary output
• excessive intake of fluids, abnormal retention of fluids (HF);
• tachycardia
overload or malfunction of homeostatic mechanisms for fluid
• hypertension
balance
• JVD
• causes
• S3 heart sound
• bounding pulses
• tachypnea
• increased CVP
• crackles in the lungs/ dyspnea, cough
•
Neuromuscular
• weakness
• visual changes
• paresthesia
• altered level of consciousness
• seizures— if severe, sudden hyponatremia/water excess
•
GI LABS
• ascites • decreased BUN
• increased motility • decreased
• liver enlargement
• edema
• client education • everything diluted
