Certified Respiratory Therapist Practice Exam

To assess a patient's fluid balance, which section of the medical record should you check?

1. Physician's orders

2. Diagnostic imaging reports

3. Laboratory results

4. Nurses' notes and flow sheet

The correct answer is: Nurses' notes and flow sheet

To assess a patient's fluid balance effectively, the nurses' notes and flow sheet provide essential information. These sections of the medical record typically document the patient's intake and output, including details on fluid administration and losses via urine, drainage tubes, or other means. This real-time data assists healthcare providers in evaluating the patient's hydration status and overall fluid management. While other sections of the medical record play crucial roles in patient care, they do not provide the specific tracking of fluid balance as comprehensively as the nurses' notes and flow sheet. Physician's orders may indicate fluid therapy plans but won't detail ongoing assessments. Diagnostic imaging reports focus on visualizing anatomical structures rather than physiological data, and laboratory results can offer insights into kidney function and electrolyte balance but do not directly address fluid intake and output. Thus, the nurses' notes and flow sheet are the optimal resources for assessing fluid balance.