Care For Patients With Fluid And Electrolytes Imbalance

Normal anatomy and physiology Water comprises 60% of the body weight of an average adult, the total body water is divided functionally into the extracellular (ECF = 20% of body weight) and the intracellular fluid spaces (ICF = 40% of body weight) separated by the cell membrane. The ECF is further divided into the intravascular (within the circulation) and the interstitial (extravascular fluid surrounding the cells) fluid space.