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Summary
Nurses have a professional and legal responsibility to understand the rationale for the use of prescribed fluids. Safe administration requires an understanding of the role of electrolytes and water and of the mechanisms of movement between different body compartments.
Key words
* intravenous therapy
* Nursing: care
These key words are based on subject headings from the British Nursing Index. This article has been subject to double-blind review.
Aims and intended learning outcomes
The aim of this article is to increase your understanding of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis, and provide the rationale for the care and management of patients undergoing intravenous fluid therapy. After reading this article, you should be able to:
* Describe different body fluid compartments.
* Define the principles of osmosis, diffusion and filtration in relation to the movement of water and solutes between compartments.
* Differentiate between hypotonic, isotonic and hypertonic solutions.
* Understand the role of electrolytes in fluid balance.
* Identify the signs and symptoms of fluid and electrolyte imbalance.
* Explain the different reasons for commencing intravenous fluid therapy.
* State the different types of intravenous fluid and give a rationale for their use.
* Analyse the nurse's role in observing and supporting the patient undergoing intravenous fluid therapy.
Introduction
Knowledge of different parenteral fluids and their method of action is essential to the safe delivery of infusion therapy. Nurses have a professional and legal responsibility to understand the rationale for the use of specific prescribed fluids and the desired and untoward effects of administration. Safe administration demands an understanding of the role of electrolytes and water and of the mechanisms of movement between different body compartments, as well as knowledge of the actions of the various solutions available.
Body fluid compartments
The total amount of water in a male weighing 70kg is around 40L. Almost two thirds by volume (25L) is contained in the intracellular fluid (ICF) compartment, which consists of trillions...