How to Calculate Intake and Output

Introduction

• Presenter: Sarah from RegisteredNurseRN.com
• Topics Covered:
  • Calculation of intake and output
  • Differences between intake and output
  • Example problems
  • Free quiz available at the end

Intake Calculation

What to Include in Intake:

• Fluids taken into the body via:
  • Mouth
  • Tube
  • IV or central line

Liquids Consumed (Liquid at Room Temperature):

• Included Liquids:
  • Juice, water
  • Ice chips (record as half their volume)
  • Drinks: tea, coffee, soda
  • Gelatin desserts like Jell-O
  • Milk, broths
  • Ice cream, frozen treats like popsicles, sorbet
  • Nutrition supplements like Ensure or Boost
• Excluded:
  • Pudding (considered semi-liquid; not included based on NCLEX guide)

Other Intake Sources:

• Tube Feedings:
  • PEG tube or other types
• Free Water Flushes
• IV Fluids and Central Line Fluids:
  • TPN, lipids, blood products
  • Medication infusions or flushes
  • Irrigants (e.g., bladder irrigation)

Output Calculation

What to Include in Output:

• Majority from Urine
• Others include:
  • Emesis (vomit)
  • Liquid stool (e.g., diarrhea, ostomy bag from ileostomies)
  • Measurable wound drainage (e.g., JP drain, chest tube)
  • Suction from respiratory or gastric system

Exclusions:

• Insensible Losses:
  • Not measurable, comes from skin or lungs
  • Approximately 600 mL/day

Assessing I&O:

• Risk of Dehydration:
  • If intake < output
• Risk of Fluid Overload:
  • If intake > output

Example Problem: Total Intake Calculation

• Scenario: Determine patient's total intake during a 12-hour shift
• Key Points:
  • Convert ounces to milliliters (1 oz = 30 mL)
  • Organize intake items in columns for clarity

Calculation Steps:

1. 8 am:
   • 8 oz orange juice ➜ include
   • 6 oz yogurt ➜ exclude
   • 10 cc IV flush ➜ include
2. 10 am:
   • 8 oz coffee ➜ include
   • 1 oz liquid creamer ➜ include
3. 12 pm:
   • 12 oz soda ➜ include
   • Two 12 oz popsicles ➜ record as 24 oz
   • 3 oz pudding ➜ exclude
   • 4 oz broth ➜ include
4. 1 pm:
   • 6 oz soda ➜ include
5. 4 pm:
   • 8 oz ice chips ➜ record as 4 oz
6. IV Fluids:
   • 50 cc/hr for 5 hours ➜ 250 mL

Results:

• Total Ounces: 67 oz ➜ convert to mL: 67 x 30 = 2010 mL
• Add IV fluid: 2010 + 260 = 2270 mL total intake

Example Problem: Urinary Output Calculation

• Scenario: Patient with TURP and continuous bladder irrigation
• Task: Determine urinary output

Calculation Steps:

• Foley Collection: 5320 mL
• Bladder Irrigation Instilled: 2500 mL
• Urinary Output Calculation:
  • 5320 - 2500 = 2820 mL

Conclusion

• Wrap-up of how to calculate intake and output
• Reminder to take the free quiz and subscribe for more content