The body's fluid balance is an essential and elemental component of health. Disturbances in this balance can both indicate and be caused by a variety of pathologies. Many care decisions must be based on the various fluid and electrolyte balances of the body, therefore, understanding and monitoring a patient's fluid balance, electrolyte balance and acid-base balance is critical to providing care.This progran, the first of a three part series, provides nursing students, new nurses, and others with the fundamental information they need to begin building their understanding of the role fluids and electrolytes play in the health of a body.This program describes: . The basics of fluid balance . The basics of electrolyte balance . The main electrolytes in the body . Acid-base balance in the human body