title: The importance of fluid balance in clinical practice.
abstract: This article reviews the physiology that underpins normal fluid balance and discusses how fluid balance can be affected by illness. Clinical assessment of hydration and the importance of fluid balance record keeping are explained. Recommendations are made to improve fluid balance management in clinical practice and the professional importance of record keeping is highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, London. katie.scales@imperial.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Scales
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pilsworth
mesh_terms: D003681:Dehydration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D004496:Education, Continuing; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes