Focus On: Fluids & Electrolytes

Page reviewed and updated: February 2022

Attention to a patient’s fluid and electrolyte status is essential for nurses to know no matter where you work. Imbalances can quickly turn into life-threatening situations and it is imperative to fine tune your knowledge and skills to recognize subtle signs and symptoms and intervene appropriately when an issue with fluids and electrolytes arises. Even if you are well into your nursing career, it’s important to refresh and review this critical information.

Use these peer-reviewed resources to understand the importance of volume status and electrolyte abnormalities in your patients. Our journal articles, nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) activities and pocket card will help you master fluids and electrolytes quickly so you can get back to what matters most – the patient.

Quick Guide to Laboratory Values FREE Pocket Card!
Lippincott Nursing Center, March 2021

Factors Associated with Adherence to Fluid Restriction in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis in Indonesia
The Journal of Nursing Research, December 2021

Impaired Absorption of Extended-Release Potassium Chloride in a Patient With a High-Output Ileostomy
Journal of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing, September/October 2021

Assessment of Calcium and Vitamin D Intake in an Outpatient Gastroenterology and Hepatology Clinic
Topics in Clinical Nutrition, July/September 2020

Abnormal Basic Metabolic Panel Findings: Implications for Nursing
AJN, American Journal of Nursing, June 2020

Electrolyte Analysis and Replacement: Challenging a Paradigm in Surgical Patients
Journal of Trauma Nursing, May/June 2020

Fluid Overload and Risk of Mortality in Critically Ill Patients
Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, November/December 2019

NCPD Concentration and Volume: Understanding Sodium and Water in the Body
AJN, American Journal of Nursing, December 2019

Magnesium Requirement in Children: Recommendations for Reevaluation and Comparison With Current Evidence for Adults
Nutrition Today, September/October 2019

Fluid Balance Monitoring in Congestive Heart Failure Patients in Hospital: A Best Practice Implementation Project
JBI Evidence Synthesis, October 2019

Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate to Attenuate Hemodynamic Changes in Laparoscopic Surgery: A Systematic Review Protocol
JBI Evidence Synthesis, October 2019

Feasibility of Assessing Sodium-Associated Body Fluid Composition in End-Stage Renal Disease
Nursing Research, May/June 2019

The Sodium Conundrum: Evolving Recommendations and Implications
Nutrition Today, January/February 2019

Effectiveness of Phosphate Binders in Adult Patients with End Stage Renal Disease Receiving Hemodialysis: A Systematic Review
JBI Evidence Synthesis, January 2019

What is the Evidence Base for a Potassium Requirement?
Nutrition Today, September/October 2018

Tetany with Hypomagnesemia, Hypokalemia, and Hypocalcemia as Initial Presentation of Celiac Disease
Gastroenterology Nursing, January/February 2018

Choice of Fluids for Resuscitation of the Critically Ill: What Nurses Need to Know
Critical Care Nursing Quarterly, October/December 2017

Acute Hypervolemic Hyponatremia: A Case Report
Nursing2017, October 2017

Managing Hypocalcemia in Massive Blood Transfusion
Nursing2017, May 2017

Calcium Supplements - A New Paradigm
Nutrition Today, March/April 2017

Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances: Interpretation and Assessment
Journal of Infusion Nursing, November/December 2016

Magnesium Deficiency: What is Our Status?
Nutrition Today, May/June 2016

The Ongoing Controversy: Crystalloids Versus Colloids
Journal of Infusion Nursing, January/February 2016

Emergency Management of Malignancy-Associated Hypercalcemia
Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal, January/March 2016

Identifying Acid-Base and Electrolyte Imbalances
The Nurse Practitioner, August 2015

0.9% Saline Induced Hyperchloremic Acidosis
Journal of Trauma Nursing, March/April 2015