The only absolute reason to drink water is to replace losses. So how much water does a person need in a day? To answer this question, we must ask another. Maintenance fluids are necessary to maintain homeostasis when a patient is unable to intake the required water and should be prescribed, ordered, dosed, and delivered like any other drug. You, the prescribing physician, must decide how much fluid to administer. But what about a person who is receiving only intravenous fluids or gavage feeding? In this individual, the thirst mechanism has been bypassed. So, we rely on thirst to guide water intake. The thirst-creating mechanism is exquisitely sensitive to an increase in plasma osmolality and as long as there is free access to water, intake will never be less than the need. We do not have to keep track of our fluid intake. ![]() We drink water, or a water-containing beverage, five to ten times a day. Marie Dawlett MD and Amy Gonzalez MD The Need for Water A Chapter in Core Concepts of Pediatrics, 2nd Edition Fluid and Electrolyte Therapy
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