What it means
Also called hypervolemiahy-per-voh-LEE-mee-uhA higher than normal volume of fluid in the blood vessels; also called fluid volume excess or fluid overload.hyper- abovevol volume-emia in the bloodFull entry . The body holds more water and salt than it can handle, usually because the heart or kidneys are not working well, or because a client was given more IV fluid than they could get rid of. Signs include fast weight gain, swelling (edemaih-DEE-muhSwelling caused by extra fluid trapped in the body's tissues.Full entry ), crackles in the lungs, shortness of breath, full neck veins and high blood pressure.
For the nurse
Weigh the client daily, keep accurate intake and output, and listen to the lungs. Older adults and clients with heart or kidney disease on IV fluids need close watching. Give diuretics and limit fluids and sodium as ordered.
In a chart
"Weight up 2 kg since yesterday; crackles in both lung bases; IV rate held and provider called."
At a glance
| Spanish | sobrecarga de líquidos |
|---|---|
| Also written | volume overload, fluid volume overload |
Related terms
edema
Swelling caused by extra fluid trapped in the body's tissues.
diuretic
A drug that makes the kidneys pass more water and salt out of the body as urine.
heart failure
A long-term condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
intake and output
The measured record of all fluids a client takes in and all fluids that leave the body over a set time.
pulmonary edema
A buildup of fluid in the air sacs and tissues of the lungs.
preload
How much the heart's ventricles are stretched by the blood filling them just before they squeeze.