Question

Answer the following questions related to the topic of fluids and electrolytes:

1. Provide at least 5 examples of health conditions in which the patient has electrolyte disturbances.

2. Identify the nursing interventions to be carried out with patients with fluid and electrolyte imbalances.

Answer 1

INTRODUCTION

Fluid and electrolyte imbalances is the major medical conditions caused by impaired intake and output of the water and electrolytes or by the alterations in regulations by the renal systems and the pulmonary systems.Fluid and electrolyte balance is a dynamic process and help to maintain our body healthy

COMPOSITION OF BODY FLUIDS

-INTRACELLULAR FLUIDS-65%

-INTERSTITIAL FLUIDS-25%

-PLASMA-8%

-TRANSCELLULAR FLUIDS-2%

MOVEMENT OF BODY FLUIDS

-Movements of body fluids to and from intracellular compartments by the following mechanisms,such as;

-OSMOSIS

-DIFFUSION

-FILTRATIONS

-ACTIVE TRANSPORT

BODY ELECTROLYTES

-Electrolytes are charged particles or chemicals thtat are dissolved in body fluids

-Electrolytes are positively or negatively charged chemical agents

-Positively charged electrolytes is known as CATIONS

-Negatively charged electrolytes is known as ANIONS

-Major positive ions are;+

-SODIUM

-POTASSIUUM

-CALCIUM

-MAGNESIUM

-Major negatively charged ions are;

-CHLORIDE

-BICARBONATES

-PHOSPHATES

QUESTION -1

-The major health conditions associated with the fluid and electrolyte imbalances includes ;

1 -BURNS----Causes HYPONATREMIA (means decreased level of sodium in the blood stream)

2 -CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE----Causes HYPERKALEMIA (elevated level of potassium in the blood stream) and HYPOCALCEMIA (decreased level of calcium in the blood stream)

3 -ACUTE PANCREATITIS-Causes HYPOCALCEMIA

   4 -HYPERTHYROIDISM-Causes HYPERCALCEMIA (elevated level of calcium in the blood stream)

   5 -MALIGNANCY-Causes HYPERCALCEMIA

  6 -HYPERGLYCEMIA-Causes HYPOMAGNESEMIA (it is an decreased levels of magnesium in the blood sream)

QUESTION-2-NURSING INTERVENTIONS

OBJECTIVES

-To restore fluid and electrolyte balances

-To maintain hydration status

-To prevent further complications such as neurological disturbances

-To monitor the progress of fluid replacement therapy

-To assess the fluid status

-To assess for weight gain or loss

PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT

-Basic princilpes are REPLACE ,MAINTAIN and REPAIR

STEPS OF NURSING INTERVENTIONS

1-FLUID IMBALANCES

-Fluid imbalances are two types ,HOPOVOLEMIA and HYPERVOLEMIA

-Hypovolmia ia an decreased level of fluids

-Hypervolemia is an elevated levels of fluids

NURSING INTERVENTIONS FOR FLUID IMBALANCES

-Monotor and measures fluid level at least 8 hours

-Monitor vital signs

-Observe for rapid and weak pulse

-Monitor urine concentrations

-Assess degree of oral and mucus membrane moisture

-Maintain input and output chart

-Assess for breath sounds

-Assess for degrees of oedema

-Potassium suplement in case of hypervolemia

-Prefer for DIALYSIS in case of hypervolemia

NURSING INTERVENTIONS FOR ELECTROLYTE IMBAALNCES

-HYPONATREMIA( Elevated sodium lvels)

-sodium supplement

-administer lactated ringer solutions

-mainatain diet therapy

-HYPERNATREMIA

-Infusion of hypotonic solutions

-diuretics may be prescribed

-HYPERKALEMIA

-Immediate ECG should be done

-restriction of dietary potassiuum

-monitor blood pressure

-assess for neurological disturbances

-assess for muscle weakness

-monitor BUN(blood -urea -nitrogen),creatinine,blood glucose and arterial blood gas levels

HYPOKALEMIA

-Need to resore potassiuum levels

-Potassium supplements

-diet rich in potassium

-assess neurological status

HYPOCALCEMIA

-IV administration of calcium like CALCIUM GLUCONATE,or CALCIUM CHLORIDE

-Initiation of vitaminD therapy

-increase the dietary intake of calcium

HYPERCALCEMIA

-eliminate calcium administration

-cardiac monitoring

-increasing patient mobility

-provide fibre rich diet

-safety precautions are implemented

OTHER NURSING INTERVENTIONS ARE

-assess cardiac,pulmonary,respiratory,neurological and renal status

-mainatin hydration ad pulmonary satus

-assess for early features of complications

-mainatain urinary concentrations

-dietary management

-symptomatic care

-careful monitoring of weight gain and loss

   -assess for features of dehydration

-maintain IPR with the patients

-provide follow-up care

NURSING DIAGNOSIS

- Fluid volume deficit ir excess

- Imbalanced nutritional status less than body requirements

-High risk for infection

-High risk for injury

-Activity intolerance

- Impaired family coping mechanism

CONCLUSION

The main nursing interventions are monitor skin turgor,urine concentration,oral and parenteral fluids,oral rehydration solutions,nervous system assessment,and diet therapy,so nurses have to assess patient in a proper manner.

" THE GREATEST WEALTH IS HEALTH"

  

  

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