Parenteral replacement of fluids and electrolytes:the-basics

摘要

The average adult is made up of around 60 per cent water by weight.Water is the medium by which nutrients,waste products,electrolytes,hormones and proteins are moved around the body,and water soluble electrolytes and products of metabolism are excreted(dissolved in urine).Fluid is lost mainly by excretion through the kidneys,but smaller("insensible")losses occur in sweat,faeces or expired air,or via cell reactions.Each day,the average adult typically needs to drink about 2L of fluid to replace losses and,normally,the oral route is the only source of fluid intake.