Fluid Volume Management and Electrolyte Imbalance

These flashcards cover symptoms, interventions, and concerns related to fluid volume overload and deficit, electrolyte imbalances, and dietary considerations.

Symptoms of fluid volume overload

Edema, hypertension (HTN), tachycardia, tachypnea, pallor, moist skin, dyspnea, crackles in the lungs, weight gain, orthopnea.

Interventions for fluid volume overload

Diuretics, elevate head of bed, elevate feet, oxygen therapy if needed, reduce sodium intake, restrict fluid intake, monitor input/output (I/O), daily weight.

Diseases involving fluid volume overload

Congestive heart failure (CHF), renal failure, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH).

Priority concern with hypokalemia or hyperkalemia

Cardiac dysrhythmias.

Symptoms of fluid volume deficit

Poor skin turgor, dry and flushed skin, weight loss, hypotension, lightheadedness, vertigo, tachycardia, tachypnea.

Interventions for fluid volume deficit

Sit up/change positions slowly, ambulate with assist, monitor I/O, daily weight, fluid replacement (oral or IV), lower head of bed (HOB) if hypotension is severe, monitor vital signs (VS), encourage sodium intake.

Signs of fluid volume excess

Dyspnea, tachypnea, bounding pulse, elevated blood pressure.

Signs of fluid volume deficit

Tachycardia and hypotension.

Effects of electrolyte imbalances

May cause tachycardia or bradycardia, and weak and/or irregular heart rhythm.

Compensatory responses to disorders or illnesses

Elevated heart rate and elevated respiratory rate are the body's first compensatory responses.

Blood levels and fluid imbalances: fluid volume deficit

Levels rise due to hemoconcentration.

Blood levels and fluid imbalances: fluid volume excess

Levels fall due to hemodilution.

BUN and creatinine levels in fluid imbalances

Rise with both fluid volume deficit and excess due to low renal output.

Skin changes with fluid deficit

Dry and flushed with dehydration; cool, clammy, and pale with severe deficit.

Skin changes with fluid excess

Moist and edematous.

Symptoms of hyponatremia

Mental confusion, muscular weakness, anorexia, elevated body temperature, tachycardia, seizures.

Symptoms of hypercalcemia

Deep bone pain, anorexia, constipation, polyuria, pathologic fractures, kidney or urinary stones.

Potassium's role in cardiac health

High or low levels can lead to potentially lethal cardiac dysrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, or asystole).

Calcium's effect on the musculoskeletal system

Low levels cause muscle contractions, twitches, or sustained contractions (tetany); high levels lead to symptoms like pain and pathologic fractures.

Magnesium's effects on reflexes

Low levels can increase reflexes; high levels can reduce reflexes and depress respirations and level of consciousness (LOC).

Foods high in sodium

Processed foods, canned foods, smoked or preserved meats, condiments.

Foods to encourage for potassium loss from diuretics

Bananas, avocados, citrus fruits, spinach, potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, salmon, broccoli.