Assessment and Care of patients with fluid and electrolyte imbalances

Hospitalized patients are at an increased risk of electrolyte imbalance meaning simply they are more susceptible to changes in their electrolyte levels that could potentially compromise their health. Electrolytes are a vital part of normal body function. The electrolytes help maintain electrical neutrality in cells. Likewise, they help to generate and conduct action potentials in the body’s nerves and muscles. When these levels are abnormal patients may experience abnormal bodily functions and at times these abnormalities can cause life-threatening situations.

Causes

Several factors can contribute to electrolyte abnormalities. Some of the potential causes include: 

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Excessive or insufficient fluid volume
  • Other medical conditions (i.e. renal failure, congestive heart failure, hypothyroidism)
  • Medications (i.e. diuretics)

Signs and Symptoms

Hypernatremia 

  • Excessive thirst
  • Agitation  
  • Restlessness  
  • Edema  
  • Confusion  
  • Dry mucous membranes  

Hyponatremia

  • Confusion  
  • Muscle weakness 
  • Nausea 
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue 
  • Restlessness and irritability 

Hyperkalemia

Hyperkalemia – serum potassium level > 5.0 mEq/L (5.0 mmol/L)

  • Muscle weakness 
  • Nausea
  • Life threatening cardiac dysrhythmias  

Hypokalemia 

Hypokalemia – serum potassium level < 3.5 mEq/L (3.5 mmol/L)

  • Muscle weakness and muscle spasms  
  • Tingling, numbness 
  • Fatigue
  • Light-headedness 
  • Palpitations 
  • Constipation 
  • Bradycardia  
  • Severe cases can cause cardiac arrest  

Hypercalcemia

  • Thirst  
  • Renal stones 
  • Anorexia  
  • Urinary frequency
  • Confusion  
  • Abdominal pain 
  • Fatigue 
  • Lethargy  
  • Nausea and vomiting  

Hypocalcemia (can be very mild to severe) 

  • Muscle pains 
  • Bronchospasm  
  • Life threatening cardiac arrhythmias  

Hypermagnesemia

  • Nausea and vomiting  
  • Respiratory distress 
  • Muscle weakness  
  • Cardiac arrhythmias  
  • Hypotension  

Hypomagnesemia

  • Muscle weakness and spasms  
  • Cramps  
  • Fatigue  

Hyperphosphatemia

  • Muscle spasms and cramping  
  • Weakness  
  • Itching  

Hypophosphatemia

  • Cardiac arrhythmias
  • Respiratory distress  
  • Irritability  
  • Confusion  

Hyperchloremia 

  • Thirst 
  • Pitting edema 
  • Dehydration 
  • Vomiting and/or diarrhea 
  • Respiratory distress  
  • Confusion 

Hypochloremia 

  • Dehydration 
  • Hyponatremia  
  • Nausea and vomiting 
  • Respiratory distress
  • Muscle weakness  
  • Diaphoresis

Expected Outcomes

  • Patient will maintain normal electrolyte levels (serum potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus)
  • Patient will maintain normal fluid balance
  • Patient will maintain adequate hydration
  • Patient will maintain normal kidney function
  • Patient will maintain normal sinus rhythm
  • Patient will have decrease/absent edema
  • Patient will verbalize understanding of nutritional status and ways to maintain normal electrolyte levels

1. Auscultate heart sounds.
Patients with electrolyte imbalances are more likely to develop cardiac abnormalities.

2. Assess cardiac rhythm.
Cardiac dysrhythmias are common when electrolyte abnormalities are present.

3. Assess vital signs routinely.
Electrolyte abnormalities can lead to arrhythmias and respiratory failure.

4. Assess mental status.
Severe electrolyte abnormalities can cause a change in mentation and confusion.

5. Monitor intake and output.
Excessive fluid intake or insufficient fluid intake can cause abnormalities in electrolytes Page Break.

6. Assess respiratory status and auscultate breath sounds.
Severe electrolyte abnormalities can cause respiratory distress and lead to respiratory failure.

7. Assess laboratory values.
Patients at risk of electrolyte imbalances should have routine lab work completed to monitor for any changes so that treatment and supplements are not delayed.

8. Assess patient’s overall medical history.
This will help the nurse to potentially pinpoint a cause of any imbalances or what condition may put the patient most at risk of an electrolyte imbalance.

9. Assess pain level.
Electrolyte abnormalities can cause discomfort (i.e. muscles cramps/abdominal cramping).

Nursing Interventions for Risk for Electrolyte Imbalance

1. Weigh patient daily.
Regular monitoring of patient’s weight will indicate if there is fluid volume excess which could cause changes in electrolyte levels.

2. Administer pain medication as appropriate.
Electrolyte abnormalities may cause discomfort and patients may need treatment for pain.

3. Provide intravenous or oral hydration as needed.
Patients are more prone to electrolyte imbalances when experiencing vomiting and/or diarrhea – ensure patient is maintaining appropriate hydration status.

4. Supplement electrolyte levels as appropriate and as ordered by the healthcare provider.
If patients’ electrolyte levels are low additional supplements may be needed orally or intravenously to maintain appropriate levels, administer these as ordered by the healthcare provider.

5. Administer oxygen as needed.
Electrolyte imbalances can cause respiratory distress/failure – monitor closely and if needed supply supplemental oxygen therapy.

6. Educate patient and family on signs and symptoms of electrolyte abnormalities.
This will help to provide the patient with more independence at home in managing their care and preventing further complications or episodes of electrolyte abnormalities.

7. Educate patient and family member on the importance of balanced nutritional state and importance of hydration.
This will help patients to understand how their nutritional status affects their electrolyte levels.

8. Educate patient and family members on the importance of taking medications as prescribed and what their specific medications are used for.
Understanding their individualized medication regimen will help the patient to develop more independence in their care and can help them to be more compliment with their medications.


References and Sources

  1. Ackley, B.J., Ladwig, G.B., Flynn Makic M.B., Martinez-Kratz, M., & Zanotti, M. (2019). Nursing diagnosis handbook: An evidence-based guide to planning care (12th edition). Mosby.
  2. American Heart Association. (2005). Part 10.1: Life-threatening electrolyte abnormalities. Circulation 112 (24). https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.166563
  3. Burke, A. (2021). Fluid and electrolyte imbalances: NCLEX-RN. https://www.registerednursing.org/nclex/fluid-electrolyte-imbalances/
  4. Shrimanker I, Bhattarai S. Electrolytes. 2021 Jul 26. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan–. PMID: 31082167.

Published on November 21, 2021

Assessment and Care of patients with fluid and electrolyte imbalances

Tabitha Cumpian, MSN, RN

Tabitha Cumpian is a registered nurse with a passion for education. She completed her BSN at Edgewood College Nursing School and her MSN with an emphasis in Nursing Education at Herzing University. She has a vast clinical background from years of traveling the United States providing nursing care. The majority of her time has been spent in cardiovascular care. She loves educating others in her field, as well as, patients and their family members through healthcare writing.

How would you assess patient with fluid and electrolyte imbalance?

The following are laboratory studies useful in diagnosing fluid and electrolyte imbalances:.
BUN. BUN may be decreased in FVE due to plasma dilution..
Hematocrit. Hematocrit levels in FVD are greater than normal because there is a decreased plasma volume..
Physical examination. ... .
Serum electrolyte levels. ... .
ECG. ... .
ABG analysis..

What are the priority nursing assessments for monitoring fluid and electrolyte balance?

Focused assessments such as trends in weight, 24-hour intake and output, vital signs, pulses, lung sounds, skin, and mental status are used to determine fluid balance, electrolyte, and acid-base status. Accurate daily weights can provide important clues to fluid balance.

What are the methods of assessing fluid balance?

The typical methods are by fluid balance record, by daily weights, and by clinical examiantion..
Accuracy depends on accuracy or recording..
Usually, cumulative balance records are inaccurate and tend to disagree with body weight measurements..

What are the nursing responsibilities in giving and electrolyte replacement?

Physicians are responsible for giving orders to correct the electrolyte imbalances. Nurses are responsible for assessing intake and output (I&O), daily weights, and vital signs, and they also assess for signs and symptoms of electrolyte imbalances.