Body Fluids – Part 1

Abstract

It is vital to maintain the optimal function of every individual cell and organ, as well as the body as a whole, that the right volume of fluid with the right composition is contained within the right compartment. It is important to have a good knowledge and understanding of the composition and volume of fluid in the various compartments, and the body’s regulatory mechanisms, in order to appreciate patients’ fluid shifts, losses, and replacement requirements in acute illness and the peri-operative period.