Fluids are the basis of life. Water makes up about 60% of the average human body by weight. The body maintains a delicate balance between fluid being drained out of the body and fluid constantly being replenished in the body. Disturbances in this balance can both indicate and be caused by a variety of pathologies. Therefore, understanding and monitoring a patient's fluid balance, electrolyte balance and acid-base balance is critical to providing care.

This program, the first of a three part series, provides nursing students, new nurses, and others with the basics of fluid balance, electrolyte balance, the main electrolytes in the body, and maintaining the acid-base balance in the human body.

After completing this course, you should be able to describe: