J Nurs Acad Soc.  1995 Mar;25(1):88-98.

A Study on Fluid Intake and Output Measurements

• Choi-Kwon
• Yang YH
• Jung Y

Abstract

The Fluid and electrolytes balance in the body is of critical importance in maintaining good health. When the fluid and electrolyte imbalance is present, patients are in great danger. They must be assessed immediately by a nurse so that appropriate treatment can be started as soon as possible. Patients' fluid intake and output records contain highly important information for the diagnosis and treatment of fluid imbalance, but, these records are often inaccurate and the method of recording the fluid intake is not universial for every hospital. Because they are few quantitative measurements of a patient's hydration, the need to improve the accuracy of fluid intake records is very important. However, very few studies have been done to investigate the accuracy of measurements of patients' fluid intake and output. The purpose of this study was to investigate the methods used for calculation of fluid intake which is most similar to fluid output in normal adults and hospitalized patients. This study focused on three different calculation methods for fluid intake and compared these to fluid output and developed suggestions as to the ideal way to record fluid intake. Data for 43 hospitalized patients and 37 normal adults were analyzed. The findings of this study are as follows; 1) In normal adults, the daily intake of water which enteres by the oral route was 2415ml(the first method of calculation). The daily intake of water in the form of pure water or some other beverage was 1365ml(the third method of calculation). The daily intake of water including fresh fruits and vegetables, rice, porridges, and Me urn which have water content more than 80% were 2186ml (the second method of calculation). 2) The urine output of the normal adults was 1350ml. This apprroximates the amount of fluid an adult takes in the form of pure water. 3) In patient group, the total intake of water was 2550ml(the first method of calculation). The intake of water in the form of pure water or as some other beverage and IV fluid was 1661ml (the third method of calculation). The daily intake of water including foods which have high water content was 2356ml (the second method of calculation). 4) The urine output of the patient's group was 1728ml. This approximates the amount of fluid an adult takes in the form of pure water. 5) Investigation of the method of calculation of the patient fluid intake showed that among the 31 hospitals studied, only eight use the third method of calculation which reflects the most close value to urine output. From the results obtained in this study, it was indicated that the amount of fluid taken in the form of pure water reflects the most close value to urine output. Therefore, it can be suggested that the third method of calculation which includes water intake only in the form of pure water or beverage should be used as patients' fluid intake record.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Beverages
Diagnosis
Drinking
Electrolytes
Fruit
Humans
Vegetables
Water
Electrolytes
Water