Nurses use various methods to assess fluid status, including:
Physical Examination: Checking for signs such as skin turgor, mucous membrane moisture, and peripheral edema. Vital Signs: Monitoring blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate. Daily Weights: Tracking weight changes can indicate fluid gain or loss. Intake and Output (I&O) Charting: Recording all fluid intake and output to monitor balance. Laboratory Tests: Analyzing blood and urine samples for electrolytes, hematocrit, and osmolality.
