What it means
The body keeps the amount of water in it steady by balancing intake (drinking, food, IV fluids) with output (urine, stool, sweat, breathing, vomiting and drains). Thirst, the kidneys and hormones such as antidiuretic hormone and aldosterone control it. A positive balance (more in than out) can mean fluid is being held; a negative balance can lead to dehydrationdee-hy-DRAY-shunA state in which the body has lost more water than it has taken in.de- remove, lack ofhydr/o water-ation processFull entry .
For the nurse
Track intake and outputIN-tayk and OWT-putThe measured record of all fluids a client takes in and all fluids that leave the body over a set time.Full entry and daily weights, at the same time on the same scale. A weight change of 1 kg (2.2 lb) in a day is about 1 liter of fluid gained or lost.
In a chart
"24-hour intake 2,400 mL, output 1,500 mL: positive balance of 900 mL; weight up 0.8 kg."
At a glance
| Spanish | balance hídrico |
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Related terms
dehydration
A state in which the body has lost more water than it has taken in.
intake and output
The measured record of all fluids a client takes in and all fluids that leave the body over a set time.
imbalance
A lack of balance: too much or too little of something the body needs to keep at a steady level.
overload
More of something than the body can handle; in nursing, most often too much fluid in the circulation.
urine output
The amount of urine a person passes over a set time, measured in milliliters.