Fluid and Electrolytes in Critically Ill Patients

Abstract

Fluid and electrolyte physiology is central to the clinical management of critically ill patients. Total body water (TBW) is defined as the total volume of water within the body. TBW is comprised of the intracellular and the extracellular compartments. Intracellular fluid (ICF) makes up two thirds of TBW, and extracellular fluid (ECF) accounts for the remaining one third. The ECF also contains small quantities of other cations, including potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The cations are electrochemically balanced principally by chloride and lactate anions