In this assignment, the nursing problem of fluid overload will be discussed, with respect to one particular patient who was admitted to the medical ward, on which I did my recent clinical placement. The holistic impact on the patient as a result of this

Authors Avatar

        Fluid overload may be the result of the abnormal retention of water and sodium.  This imbalance may be a result of reduced function of homeostatic mechanisms or by simply overloading with fluids (Methany, 2000).  In this assignment, the nursing problem of fluid overload will be discussed, with respect to one particular patient who was admitted to the medical ward, on which I did my recent clinical placement.  The holistic impact on the patient as a result of this problem will be explored in detail along with one of the many nursing interventions which was used in an effort to curb the problem.  The advantages and disadvantages of the chosen intervention will also be further discussed.  By the end of this essay, my feelings about the implementation of fluid balance charts in this situation and learning outcomes will have been known.

        Holism, as expressed by Basford and Slevin (2003) presumes that human beings are individuals who are greater than and should be treated more than the sum of their parts.  In the onset of illness, in order to give the correct care interventions for promotion and restoration of health, it is essential that all aspects of individuals are assessed.  Volume overload may present itself in innumerable ways (Majorowicz and Hayes-Christiansen, 1989) and may cause a huge problem for the patient and their families (Wallace, 1998).  Dyspnoea on exertion, increased fatigue, weight gain and oedema are all features of fluid overload.  The above mentioned symptoms impacted negatively on the physical, psychological and social aspects of the patient’s life.

        Faulkner (2000) recognizes oedema as the main visible effect of fluid overload.  Oedema is described by the Dictionary Of Medicine (2001) as “swelling of part of the body caused by the accumulation of fluid in the intercellular tissue spaces.”  The presence of oedema restricted his movement due to the immense swelling of his feet especially round his ankles, one of the first places for excess water to accumulate due to the effects of gravity (Kidneywise Community, 2001).  The result of such an impairment included disengagement from normal activities which affected his social life.  The patient was therefore branded as antisocial by family members and friends.  Other sites in which swelling occurred were the wrists and face, especially round the eyes.  The patient’s body image was greatly altered which had a drastic psychological effect on him.  The sudden change to way of life led to severe stress, anxiety and frustration.  All the other symptoms which were present in the patient were contributing factors to further psychological and physical destruction and in turn affected the social aspects of his life.  For example shortness of breath added to the patient’s anxiety and increased fatigue led to decreased mobility.

Join now!

        The “standard man” consists of sixty percent (60%) fluid and the weight at which this is present is referred to as the “dry weight” (Wallace, 1998).  The term fluid balance describes the condition where the amount of water required by the body is present and normally proportioned among the existing compartments (Stevenson, 1998).  The amount of fluid lost from the body normally, should equal the amount gained.  In the case of fluid overload, the intake of fluid over a twenty-four (24) hour period significantly exceeds the amount lost resulting in over hydration (Smith, 2000).  In the overloaded patient, the patient’s ...

This is a preview of the whole essay