Question

Ruben received very large amounts of intravenous fluids after his hospital admission because he required initial fluid resuscitation to prevent loss of intravascular fluid volume. The clinician is now having a difficult time assessing Ruben's nutritional needs. Fluid imbalances that occur among patients with critical illnesses cause challenges in estimating nutrient needs in what manner?

Answer 1

Fluid imbalanances that occur in critical illnesses affect the nutritional assessment of the patient.here in this case where the patient underwent fluid resuscitation may have fluid and electrolyte imbalances that need to be corrected.so ABG values in an absolute necessity for assessment of nutritional needs.For example if the client has hyper/hyponatremia, the sodium intake should be corrected respectively.If the client has hypoalbuminemia, it can lead to extravassation of fluid,causing peripheral edema thereby resulting in acute weight gain and it can lead to poor assessment of nutritional needs.fluid imbalances can also result in acid base imbalances which could also alter the nutritional needs of the critically ill patient.