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What Types of Liquid Foods Are Included on an Intake & Output Record?

Fluid balance in the body is delicate: too much -- liquid output; too little -- constipation. Imbalance may cause dehydration, which may lead to minor bowel problems, even death. When you are ill, your health care team often keeps record of your input and output in order to keep your fluid balance optimal. Intravenous (parenteral) nutrition, post-surgery, full liquid transitional diets and clear liquid diets all require diligent intake and output records, preferably totaled the same time each day.

  1. Clear Liquid Diets

    • Foods taken orally or intravenously that begin as or melt into liquid form upon eating are included in the clear liquid diet. Clear liquids ease or circumvent nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and allow those with appetite loss to get needed nutrition. Examples include: bouillon, clear broth, flavored water, fruit juices without pulp, decaffeinated weak tea, gelatin, popsicles, meal replacement drinks and IV nutrition.

    Full Liquid Diets

    • Full liquid diets are given orally and include cream of wheat, strained or blended soups, coffee, smoothies, plain or vanilla yogurt, pudding, custard, meal replacements and supplements. Full liquids transition patients after surgery to regular or amended food diets. They also aid in weight loss and are easier to keep down when nausea and vomiting occur during illness.

    Measuring Intake

    • Measure intake by cubic centimeters (cc). One cubic centimeter is equal to one milliliter. One tsp. equals 5 cc. One oz. equals 30 cc. The average small juice glass holds 2 oz. or 60 cc of liquid. Three tsp. of gelatin equals 15 cc. One cup of clear broth equals 8 oz. or 240 cc. Record all intake over the assigned period and tally up the total in cc and write in the notebook or patient chart.

    Measuring Output

    • Output is measured in cc. Urine output, wound seepage, liquid stools or any loss of fluid from the body may be measured as output according to physician instructions. The amount of intake will not equal the amount of output as the human body absorbs liquid to keep its tissues healthy, blood vessels open and systems running smoothly. Measure all output using the designated output vessel, whether it is a catheter bag or a measuring cup.

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