Output

Definition

Output, in a nursing context, refers to all measurable body fluid losses. Urine, emesis, stool (if measurable), wound drainage, chest tube drainage, NG suction, blood loss, and insensible losses.

Components of I&O

• Intake: Oral fluids, IV fluids, medications, tube feedings, ice chips (count as half their volume), parenteral nutrition.
• Output: Urine (most common), emesis, liquid stool, drains, ostomy, wound drainage.

Normal Values

• Urine: 1,500 to 2,000 mL/day (at least 30 mL/hr)
• Insensible loss: 500 to 1,000 mL/day (skin, lungs)

Nursing Considerations

Accurate I&O is critical for fluid management, dosing (diuretics), detection of acute kidney injury, and monitoring of CHF or surgical patients. Daily weights are the most reliable fluid measure (1 kg = ~1 L).

NCLEX Relevance

Urine output less than 30 mL/hr is abnormal (investigate).