The importance of fluid balance in clinical practice
Katie Scales Consultant nurse, Critical Care, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, London
Julie Pilsworth Sister, Critical Care Outreach, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, London
This article reviews the physiology that underpins normal fluid balance and discusses how fluid balance can be affected by illness. Clinical assessment of hydration and the importance of fluid balance record keeping are explained. Recommendations are made to improve fluid balance management in clinical practice and the professional importance of record keeping is highlighted.
Nursing Standard.
22, 47, 50-57.
doi: 10.7748/ns2008.07.22.47.50.c6634
Correspondence
katie.scales@imperial.nhs.uk
Peer review
This article has been subject to double blind peer review
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