Hypovolemia Essay

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Fluid from the intravascular space shifts into the interstitial space surrounding the cells. This shift is caused by increased hydrostatic pressure within capillaries as the result of reduced liver function blocking blood flow. Increased capillary permeability from inflammation pushes albumin into the interstitial space, increasing interstitial osmotic pressure and deceasing capillary osmotic pressure. Due to decreased liver function, albumin is not longer readily made decreasing its presence in body. Without albumin, osmotic pressure will remain decreased within the plasma. As the body compensates for this loss of water and increased sodium in the intravascular space hypertonic alterations pull water from the intracellular fluid causing …show more content…

Actual vs relative hypovolemia
Hypovolemia is the decreased of blood volume related to extracellular fluid volume insufficiency. Extracellular volume is determined by the total amount of sodium and water when osmolality is normal. Visible loss of sodium, chloride and total body water due to increased fluid loss such as diarrhea, vomiting and polyuria or inadequate fluid intake is called actual hypovolemia. When the water within the body is displaced not lost, from the intravascular space to the interstitial space, it is called relative hypovolemia. (Ignatavicius & Workman, …show more content…

Fluid volume overload within the intervascular space can cause shortness of breath, fluid within the lungs, engorged neck veins, increased blood pressure and heart rate with a bounding pulse. As blood volume increases so will blood pressure and heart rate. Impaired gas exchange related to pulmonary congestion causes crackles within the lung fields. If oxygen saturation is low the nurse should supply supplemental oxygen. The nurse would raise head of the bed at least thirty degrees or higher to promote breathing and reduce cardiac pressure. Having the patient cough and breath deep can pop open alveoli to clear lung passages. Once the patient is comfortable and in safe position the nurse can call the doctor. The nurse should anticipate another dose of diuretics, such as furosemide. This treatment will decrease respiratory rate and blood pressure by reducing the amount of sodium and fluid within the body. Breath sounds will improve as crackles decrease. Maintaining appropriate fluid volume stabilizes blood pressure, cellular metabolism and proper nutrition gained or wastes lost. Supplemental oxygen if oxygen saturation is low and the nurse has already supplied the patient with oxygen. (Ignatavicius & Workman,

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