The nurse assesses that the client with partial-thickness burns over 50% of the total body surface area (TBSA) has gained weight and has generalized edema after the first 24 hours. The nurse should consider that the edema and weight gain are most likely related to which physiological processes?

Initially after a severe burn injury there is a loss of capillary integrity and a shift of fluid, sodium, and protein from the intravascular to the interstitial spaces. The body compensates for this interstitial hemoconcentration by retaining more fluid. Sodium is lost due to diuresis, and existing sodium tends to be diluted by an influx of fluid, so serum sodium levels will be decreased, not increased. Hgb and Hct levels may change in severe burns, but they are the result of the fluid shift, not the cause. Fluid volume deficit (not excess) is a major risk during this phase.