Nursing the Nurse

Description 
a. Fluids leave the body by several routes, including
the skin, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys.

b. The kidneys excrete the largest quantity of fluid.

c. As long as all organs are functioning normally, the
body is able to maintain balance in its fluid content.


Skin 

a. Water is lost through the skin in the amount of
about 400 mL/day.

b. The amount of water lost by perspiration varies
according to the temperature of the environment
and of the body, but the average amount of loss by
perspiration alone is 100 mL/day.

c. Water lost through the skin is called insensible loss
(the individual is unaware of losing that water).


Lungs 
a. Water is lost from the lungs through expired air
that is saturated with water vapor.

b. The amount of water lost from the lungs varies
with the rate and the depth of respiration.

c. The average amount of water lost from the lungs is
about 350 mL/day.

d. Water lost from the lungs is called insensible loss.


Gastrointestinal tract

a. Large quantities of water are secreted into the
gastrointestinal tract, but almost all this fluid is
reabsorbed.

b. A large volume of electrolyte-containing liquids
moves into the gastrointestinal tract and then
returns again into the extracellular fluid.

c. The average amount of water lost in the feces is
150 mL/day, equal to the amount of water gained
through the oxidation of foods.

d. Severe diarrhea results in the loss of large
quantities of fluids and electrolytes.



Kidneys 
a. The kidneys play a major role in regulating fluid
and electrolyte balance.

b. Normal kidneys can adjust the amount of water
and electrolytes leaving the body.

c. The quantity of fluid excreted by the kidneys is
determined by the amount of water ingested and
the amount of waste and solutes excreted.

d. The usual urine output is about 1500 mL/day;
however, this varies greatly depending on fluid
intake, amount of perspiration, and other factors.







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Daily Body Fluid Excretion
Skin by diffusion: 400 mL
Skin by perspiration: 100 mL
Lungs: 350 mL
Feces: 150 mL
Kidneys: 1500 mL
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