When documenting intake and output, which measurements should you track?

• A. Fluids consumed and excreted (urine, stool, vomitus), including meals and beverages
• B. Only fluids excreted
• C. Only meals
• D. Only urine

Answer: (A)

Measuring intake and output is about fluid balance: you track what the patient takes in and what leaves the body. The best approach records fluids consumed—drinks, meals with water content, IV fluids, and tube feeds—and all measurable outputs such as urine, stool, and vomitus. This gives a full picture of hydration and helps detect dehydration, fluid overload, or losses from the GI tract, guiding treatment decisions.

Focusing only on what is excreted overlooks intake, while focusing only on meals misses actual fluid losses. Tracking only urine misses other outputs like stool and vomiting. Some charts separate outputs, but the core idea is to capture both sides for a complete fluid balance.