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Basic Concepts of Fluid and Electrolyte Therapy

Basic Concepts of Fluid and Electrolyte Therapy

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Urine output should be interpreted in the light <strong>of</strong> these clinical signs<br />

<strong>and</strong> measurements before giving fluid treatment, which may not only<br />

be unnecessary, but also deleterious. Unnecessary fluid therapy not<br />

only exp<strong>and</strong>s the blood volume excessively but also over-exp<strong>and</strong>s the<br />

interstitial fluid volume, causing oedema <strong>and</strong> weight gain. The metabolic<br />

response to surgery impairs the patient’s ability to excrete the<br />

additional saline load, making interstitial oedema worse, compromising<br />

organ function <strong>and</strong> increasing the risk <strong>of</strong> morbidity <strong>and</strong> mortality.<br />

Other consequences are dilution <strong>of</strong> the haematocrit <strong>and</strong> serum albumin<br />

concentration.<br />

Table 17: Assessment <strong>of</strong> volume status<br />

Capillary refill time<br />

Pulse rate<br />

Beta blockers/diltiazem (prevent tachycardia)<br />

Blood pressure<br />

Lying <strong>and</strong> st<strong>and</strong>ing<br />

Jugular venous pressure<br />

Skin turgor (over clavicle)<br />

Auscultate<br />

Lungs (pulmonary oedema)<br />

Heart sounds (gallop rhythm - hypervolaemia)<br />

Oedema<br />

Peripheral/sacral<br />

Urine output<br />

Weight change to assess water balance<br />

74

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