Understanding Fluid & Electrolytes

There are six main electrolytes in the body: potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, chlorine, and phosphorus.  Electrolytes regulate all the body's major functions.  Think of them as tiny little floating batteries, creating electrical charges in the body that help operate muscles, nerves, and neurons.  Both water and electrolytes in the body must stay in perfect balance to maintain proper body functioning.

WATER  

• On average, the human body contains about 60 percent water.  Water is taken into the body from eating foods and drinking fluids.  The average person takes in about 2000-2500 ml of fluids a day.  Water is lost through urine, feces, lungs, and skin.  The average adult will urinate about 60 ml per hour.  Anything less than 500 ml in 24 hours is considered abnormal and should be reported immediately!
• Generally, when fluids are out of balance . . . so are the electrolytes!  Too much fluid in the body dilutes the electrolytes, making the concentration in the body HYPO, or too low.  Too little fluid in the body makes concentrations of electrolytes HYPER, or too high.

POTASSIUM 

• Potassium is an electrolyte that helps regulate nerve and muscle contractions, especially those in the heart.  
• A client with low potassium may have weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, and an abnormal heart rhythm.  A client with high potassium may have nausea, weakness, paralysis, and an abnormal heart rhythm.  Too much potassium is potentially life-threatening.

SODIUM 

• Sodium's main function in the body is to help regulate fluid balance.  It also contributes to nerve and muscle functioning and helps maintain normal blood pressure.  
• When sodium levels become too low, the body holds on to all of its extra water, causing swelling, usually in the brain.  Depending on the level of the imbalance, symptoms of too much sodium can range from simply feeling thirsty to weakness, confusion, paralysis, seizures, or even coma.

TIPS

• It is important to accurately track intake and output in ALL your clients but especially those who are at increased risk of becoming out of balance, such as the very old, diabetics, and those receiving treatment for cancer.
• Take I&O tracking a step further. Check the history when you come onto your shift to make sure it looks balanced.  Notify the nurse of any imbalances you notice.  At the end of your shift, take a moment to look over the I&O worksheet to make sure what you recorded is accurate and makes sense.  Notify the nurse and oncoming Aide of any imbalances you tracked.