What is the meaning of I&O?

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Hospice.

Hey! I'm sorry, maybe it is a stupid question, I'm from Spain and in this moment I'm preparing the NClex and I have seen several times "I&O", could any one tell me what is the meaning?

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Specializes in PICU, Peds Ambulatory, Peds LTC.

I&O stands for intake and output! :)

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Specializes in Hospice.

Very fast! Thank you!!!

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Specializes in PICU, Peds Ambulatory, Peds LTC.

Your Welcome! :)

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Specializes in Psych, Psych and more Psych.

One thing I've never understood: why do some orders read "I's and O's" (plural).:confused:

I've been a psych nurse for 18+ years, so some of the med-surg stuff has been pushed out of my brain to make room for, oh who am I kidding?, I just have a tiny brain, I guess!

Happy New Year, all,

Mary

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quite frequently you will have more than one patient on i/o so when you collect slips from rooms thes slips are Is and Os these are usually just work slips which you then transfer to proper sheet when you are doing your charting

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could be they are plural because of the different routes of intakes and outputs: for example: oral, tube feed or IV?..... foley or emesis or BM? That's how I see it

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Specializes in Psych, Psych and more Psych.

Thanks, Chatsdale and RedWing, both explanations make sense to me. BTW, are you a hockey fan RedWingGirlie?

Mary

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

The different routes of intake and output are correct. Also they probly are meaning they want I&O's from previous days also so they can compare and check for fluid deficits or excesses. Large intakes and no outputs,, large outputs with normal intakes,, there is a lot to consider when balance is off. So just having the most recent is not actually a true picture.

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