What it means
Fluid overload (hypervolemia) means the body holds more fluid than the heart and kidneys can manage. It can come from IV fluids or blood given too fast, heart failurehart FAYL-yerA long-term condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.Full entry or kidney disease. It shows as weight gain, swelling, a bounding pulse, high blood pressure, distended neck veins, crackleKRAK-ulA short popping or crackling lung sound heard through a stethoscope, usually while breathing in.Full entry in the lungs and shortness of breath. The word is also used for sensory overload and iron overload.
For the nurse
Watch for it in older adults, children and clients with heart or kidney disease who are getting IV fluids or blood. Check lung sounds, weight and 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 . If signs appear, slow the infusion, raise the head of the bed and report.
In a chart
"Weight up 2 kg in 24 hours; crackles both bases; IV slowed to keep-open rate and provider notified."
At a glance
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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.
pulmonary edema
A buildup of fluid in the air sacs and tissues of the lungs.
imbalance
A lack of balance: too much or too little of something the body needs to keep at a steady level.
fluid balance
The match between the fluid that goes into the body and the fluid that leaves it.