The body's fluid balance is an essential 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.  These programs provide nursing students, new nurses, and others with the fundamental information they need to begin building their understanding of the role fluids and volume and electrolytes play in the health of a body.