PRESENTED BY: - Ms. SUKHRAJ KAUR M.Sc. (N) IST YEAR ACON , PATIALA
FLUID IMBALANCE The basic type of fluid imbalances are isotonic and osmolar . Isotonic deficit and excess exist when water and electrolytes are gained and lost in equal proportions.
CAUSES Fluid losses from GI tract Loss of plasma Loss of blood Fever Decreased oral intake Use of diuretics
FLUID VOLUME DEFICIT It occurs when the fluid intake of the body is not sufficient to meet the fluid needs of the body . Fluid volume deficit (hypovolemia) should not be confused with the term dehydration, which refers to loss of water alone with increased serum sodium levels. FVD may occur alone or in combination with other imbalances.
CAUSES A cute weight loss Decreased skin turgor A weak, rapid heart rate Decreased central venous pressure Diarrhea , Nausea, Vomiting Fever
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS Weight loss Thirst Changes in pulse rate and Bp Weak, rapid pulse Decreased urine output Dry mucous membrane
TREATMENT / INTERVENTIONS (FVD) Diet therapy – Mild to moderate dehydration. Correct with oral fluid replacement. Oral rehydration therapy – Solutions containing glucose and electrolytes. E.g . Pedialyte , Rehydralyte . IV therapy – Type of fluid ordered depends on the type of dehydration and the client’s cardiovascular status.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS
Conti ... Administer medications as prescribed, such as antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, antiemetic, and antipyretic medications, to correct the cause and treat any symptoms. Administer oxygen as prescribed. Monitor electrolyte values and prepare to administer medication to treat an imbalance, if present.
FLUID VOLUME EXCESS is also called O verhydration or fluid overload
COMMON CAUSES Congestive Heart Failure Early renal failure IV therapy Excessive sodium ingestion Corticosteroids
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
TREATMENT/ INTERVENTIONS (FVE) Drug therapy Diuretics may be ordered if renal failure is not the cause. Restriction of sodium and saline intake Weight
LABORATORY FINDINGS
MANAGEMENT ICFVE is treated by the addition of solutes to IV fluids. Use of D5%, 0.45% Nacl will help to correct ICFVE when the cause is water excess. Oral fluids such as water and soft drinks should be given in addition to water and ice chips. IV therapy should be monitored every hour.
Conti … Monitor vital signs and intake- output Every 1-8 hrs. Weight should be checked daily to measure fluid gain or loss . Administer prescribed antiemetic as needed to allow food and fluids to be ingested. Safety measures are necessary when the client displays behavioral changes.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS Monitor cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular, renal, integumentary, and gastrointestinal status. Prevent further fluid overload and restore normal fluid balance. Administer diuretics; osmotic diuretics typically are prescribed first to prevent severe electrolyte imbalances.
Conti … Restrict fluid and sodium intake as prescribed. Monitor intake and output; monitor weight. Monitor electrolyte values, and prepare to administer medication to treat an imbalance if present .
ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCES
HYPONATREMIA Hyponatremia is a serum sodium level below 135 meq / L
ETIOLOGY
CLINICAL MANIFESTATION
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT Determine cause of hyponatremia and to correct it. If client has hyponatremia due to fluid volume excess, intake of fluids will be restricted to allow the sodium to regain balance. If the serum sodium level falls below 125 meq / L, sodium replacement is needed.
PHARMACOLOGIC MANAGEMENT For client with moderate hyponatremia 125 meq / L I/V saline solution (0.9% Nacl) or lactated Ringer solution may be ordered. When the serum sodium level is 115 meq / L or less, a concentrated saline solution such as 3 % Nacl is indicated.
DIETARY MANAGEMENT A balanced diet is usually adequate for mild hyponatremia (126 to 135 meq / L) More severe hyponatremia may require sodium replacement If the clients have hyponatremia due to excess fluids, a fluid restricted diet may be prescribed. Fluids may be restricted 800 to 1000 ml / day.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS Monitor cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular, cerebral, renal, and gastrointestinal status of the patient. If hyponatremia is accompanied by a fluid volume deficit ( hypovolemia ), IV sodium chloride infusions are administered to restore sodium content and fluid volume.
Conti … If hyponatremia is accompanied by fluid volume excess (hypervolemia), osmotic diuretics are administered to promote the excretion of water rather than sodium . Instruct the client to increase oral sodium intake and inform the client about the foods to include in the diet. If the client is taking lithium ( Lithobid ), monitor the lithium level, because hyponatremia can cause diminished lithium excretion, resulting in toxicity.
HYPERNATREMIA Hypernatremia is a serum sodium level over 145 meq / L
ETIOLOGY Diabetes insipidus . Excess NaCl IV fluid intake. Accidental or international salt intake. Canned vegetables. Renal losses.
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
LABORATORY FINDINGS
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT To decrease total body sodium and replace fluid loss either a hypo- Osmolar electrolyte solution (0.2 % or 0.45 % Nacl) or D5% is administered. Hypernatremia caused by sodium excess can be treated with D5% and diuretic such as furosemide.
DIETARY MANAGEMENT Dietary restrictions of sodium are useful to prevent hypernatremia in high risk clients Clients with renal disease may need to have their sodium intake restricted to 500 to 2000 mg / day.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS Monitor cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular, cerebral, renal, and integumentary status. If the cause is fluid loss, prepare to administer IV infusions. If the cause is inadequate renal excretion of sodium, prepare to administer diuretics that promote sodium loss. Restrict sodium and fluid intake as prescribed.
HYPOKALEMIA Hypokalemia is a serum potassium level of less than 3.5 meq /L
ETIOLOGY
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
LABORATORY FINDINGS Serum potassium <3.5 meq / L
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT Determining & correcting the cause of the imbalance. Extreme hypokalemia requires cardiac monitoring.
PHARMACOLOGIC MANAGEMENT Oral potassium replacement therapy is usually prescribed for mild hypokalemia Potassium is extremely irritating to gastric mucosa; therefore the drug must be taken with Glass of water or juice or during meals Potassium chloride can be administered intravenously for moderate or severe hypokalemia & must be diluted in IV fluids.
Conti … Administration of potassium by IV push may result in cardiac arrests. Potassium can be given in doses of 10 to 20 meq / hour diluted in IV fluid if the client is on heart monitor. High concentration of potassium is irritating to heart muscle. Thus correcting a potassium deficit may take several days.
DIETARY MANAGEMENT The administration of foods that are high in potassium help to correct the problem as well as prevent further potassium losses. Common sources of food containing potassium – Cabbage, Carrot, Cucumber, Mushrooms, Spinach, Tomato, Fruits- Banana, Guava, Orange.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS Monitor cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular, gastrointestinal, and renal status, and place the client on a cardiac monitor. Monitor electrolyte values. Administer potassium supplements orally or intravenously, as prescribed. Liquid potassium chloride has an unpleasant taste and should be taken with juice or another liquid.
Conti … Oral potassium supplements may cause nausea and vomiting and they should not be taken on an empty stomach; if the client complains of abdominal pain, distention, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal bleeding, the supplement may need to be discontinued. Instruct the client about foods that are high in potassium content .
HYPERKALEMIA Hyperkalemia is an Elevated potassium level over 5.0 meq /L.
ETIOLOGY Retention of Potassium – Renal insufficiency, renal failure, decreased urine output, potassium sparing diuretics. Excessive release of Cellular Potassium - severe traumatic injuries. Severe burns, severe infection, metabolic acidosis. Excessive IV infusions or Oral administration of potassium.
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
LABORATORY FINDINGS
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT When serum potassium level is 5.0 to 5.5 meq /L restrict of potassium intake. If potassium Excess is due to metabolic acidosis, correcting the acidosis with sodium bicarbonate promotes potassium uptake into the cells. Improving urine output decreases elevated serum potassium level.
DIETARY MANAGEMENT When hyperkalemia is severe, immediate actions are needed to be taken to avoid severe Cardiac disturbances. The administration of foods that are high in potassium help to correct the problem as well as prevent further potassium looses. Common sources of food containing potassium – Cabbage, Carrot, Cucumber, Mushrooms, Spinach, Tomato, Fruits- Banana, Guava, Orange.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS Monitor cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular, renal, and gastrointestinal status; place the client on a cardiac monitor. Discontinue IV potassium and hold oral potassium supplements. Prepare to administer potassium-excreting diuretics if renal function is not impaired.
Conti … Initiate a potassium-restricted diet . If renal function is impaired, prepare to administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate ( Kayexalate ). Prepare the client for dialysis if potassium levels are critically high. Prepare for the IV administration of hypertonic glucose with regular insulin to move excess potassium into the cells.
Conti… M onitor renal function. T each the client to avoid foods high in potassium. Instruct the client to avoid the use of salt substitutes or other potassium-containing substances.
HYPOCALCEMIA Hypocalcemia is serum calcium below 4.5 meq /L or 8.5 mg/dl
ETIOLOGY Malabsorption of fat in intestine. Metabolic alkalosis Renal failure with hyperphsophatemia , acute pancreatitis, Burns, Cushing‘s disease, hypoparathyrodism . Medications – Magnesium sulfate.
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS Neuromuscular: Tetany symptoms: Twitching around mouth, tingling and numbness of fingers, facial spasm, convulsions. Respiratory: Dyspnea, laryngeal spasm. Gastrointestinal: increased peristalsis, diarrhea. Cardiovascular: Dysrhythmias, palpitations
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT Determining & correcting the cause of hypocalcemia . Asymptomatic hypocalcemia is usually corrected with oral calcium gluconate , calcium lactate or calcium chloride. Administer calcium supplements 30 minutes before meals for better absorption and with glass of milk because vitamin D is necessary for absorption of calcium from the intestine.
DIETARY MANAGEMENT Intravenous calcium chloride or calcium gluconate (10%) is given slowly to avoid hypertension, bradycardia & other arrhythmias. Chronic or mild hypocalcemia can be treated in part by having the client consume a diet high in calcium: e.g : Cheese, milk, spinach.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS Monitor cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular, and gastrointestinal status; place the client on a cardiac monitor. Administer calcium supplements orally or calcium intravenously. When administering calcium intravenously, warm the injection solution to body temperature before administration and administer slowly, monitor for electrocardiographic changes, and monitor for hypercalcemia .
Conti… Administer medications that increase calcium absorption. i.e. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium from the intestinal tract . Initiate seizure precautions. Keep 10% calcium gluconate available for treatment of acute calcium deficit. Instruct the client to consume foods high in calcium.
HYPERCALCEMIA Hypercalcemia is a serum level over 5.5 meq /L or 11 mg/L
ETIOLOGY Metastatic malignancy-lung, breast, Ovarian, Prostatic, bladder, leukemia, Kidney. Hyperparathyroidism. Thiazide diuretic therapy. Prolong immobilization. Excessive intake of calcium supplements and vitamin D.
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS Gastrointestinal: Anorexia , Vomiting, Constipation, Neuromuscular : Mild to moderate hypercalcemia state –weakness, Severe hypercalcemic state-Extreme lethargy Cardiovascular : Dysrhythmias, Electro- cardiographic Changes : Shortened ST Segment and lengthened QT interval . Musculoskeletal: Bone pain, fracture.
LABORATORY FINDINGS
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT Treatment consists of correcting the underlying cause. Intravenous normal saline (0.9% Nacl) given rapidly with furosemide to prevent fluid overload, Promote urinary calcium excretion. Corticosteroid drugs decrease calcium levels by competing with vitamin D thus resulting in decreased intestinal absorption of calcium.
Conti… If the cause is excessive use of calcium or vitamin D supplements or calcium containing antacids these agents should be either avoided or used in reduced dosage. A newer form of drug therapy is etidronate di-sodium. This drug reduces serum calcium by reducing normal and abnormal bone reabsorption of calcium and secondarily by reducing bone formation.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS Monitor cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular, renal, and gastrointestinal status; place the client on a cardiac monitor. Discontinue IV infusions of solutions containing calcium and oral medications containing calcium or vitamin D. Discontinue thiazide diuretics and replace with diuretics that enhance the excretion of calcium.
Conti… Administer medications as prescribed that inhibit calcium resorption from the bone, such as phosphorus, calcitonin, bisphosphonates, and prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors (aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ). Prepare the client with severe hypercalcemia for dialysis if medications fail to reduce the serum calcium level . Instruct the client to avoid foods high in calcium .
CONCLUSION Fluids are essential for life. Homeostasis is sustained by very many processes. As nurses, one of our main responsibility in dealing with most kind of patient is the maintenance of fluid volume and electrolyte balance. Thus it is very essential to know regarding the fluid and electrolyte balance and imbalances.
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Conti… Suddhartha & Brunner. Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10th edition - Pp- 256- 260, 261- 272 Potter A Patrica , Perry Griffin Anne. Fundamentals of nursing. 7 th edition. Noida: Elsevier;2009. Pp- 967-972.