Focus On: Fluids & Electrolytes
Page reviewed and updated: January 2023

Attention to a patient’s fluid and electrolyte status is essential for nurses 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.
IV Fluids FREE Pocket Card!
Lippincott NursingCenter, December 2022
Quick Guide to Laboratory Values FREE Pocket Card!
Lippincott NursingCenter, April 2022
Red Light, Green Light Electrolyte
Nurse Educator, January/February 2023
Outcomes Similar with Restricted vs. Standard IV Fluid Administration in Patients with Septic Shock
AJN, American Journal of Nursing, October 2022
Intravenous Fluid Supplementation for Preterm Infants With Hyperbilirubinemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Advances in Neonatal Care, August 2022
NCPD Common electrolyte abnormalities in primary care: Hypercalcemia
The Nurse Practitioner, July 2022
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
More Fluids and Electrolyte Resources