- Explain the importance of keeping the fluid balance chart to patient to patient to gain his/her co-operation.
- Explain the role patient has to play to him/her.
- Get requirement e.g. measuring jugs for intake and output, fluid chart and pen.
- Wash and dry hands, don gloves if applicable.
- Record in millilitres the amount of infusion/transfusion and other fluid intake and output at intake column.
- Record in millilitres any output such as urine, watery stool, vomitus at output column.
- Total intake and output for 24 hours depending on hospital’s policy.
- Find fluid balance by subtracting output from intake.
- Document findings (Characteristic of the output)
- Inform the nurse in charge/doctor immediately if amount of output is greater than the amount taken in or when there is abnormally low output.