Electrolyte imbalances in the elderly

Abstract

Introduction: As human beings age, the percentage of water and electrolytes present in the body decreases, making them more vulnerable to changes in electrolyte balance. Since this balance is crucial for maintaining the human body's homeostasis, the threat of imbalances in this area may have a major impact on the morbidity and mortality of the elderly. Objective: Identify nursing interventions for the control and prevention of Electrolyte Imbalances in the elderly. Methodology: This Integrative Literature Review was based on the PI[C]OD methodology to formulate the following guiding question: "Which nursing interventions (intervention) allow controlling and preventing Electrolyte Imbalances (outcomes) in the elderly (population)?.To answer the research question, we used the EBSCOhost platform to search all databases, namely Academic Search Complete, MEDLINE Complete, CINAHL Complete and MedicLatina, with the respective descriptors. Results: After the organized reading of the studies and the application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 5 scientific studies were used to perform the Integrative Literature Review. All of them show, in general, nursing interventions that allow controlling and preventing Electrolyte Imbalances, especially in the elderly. Only 2 of the 5 studies truly specified interventions targeted at the elderly population however, in comparative terms, the interventions of all articles are similar and complement each other. Conclusion: Nursing interventions inherent to the control of Electrolyte Imbalances focus on the screening and treatment of symptoms associated with the different imbalances, the administration and control of drug therapy, always paying attention to intercurrences or complications that may occur and, whenever possible, teaching the elderly person and their relatives about Electrolyte Imbalances and how to prevent them.