Nurse teaching to educate the patient and caregiver on maintaining adequate level of fluids in the body:
- Maintain an intake of at least 2.5 liters to 3 liters of fluid every day to keep well hydrated, as fluid is needed for maintaining vital body functions.
- The intake can be in the form of any fluids, such as water, milk, tea, coffee, juice, soup, or soda.
- Fluid intake can also be in the form of any food items that melt at room temperature into fluid, such as, ice cream, slurpee, gelatin, and sherbet.
- Situations such as elevated environmental temperature on a hot day, increased respiratory rate secondary to metabolic disturbances, or increased physical activity will increase demand for fluid intake.
- Patient was also instructed that hot climates and situations of increased physical activity will hike up the fluid demand, due to excessive loss in sweat and breathing. It is therefore necessary to drink more fluids during these times to keep our bodies cool and hydrated.
