Which patient is most likely to experience fluid overload?

Patients with renal failure are at a significantly increased risk of experiencing fluid overload due to their kidneys’ impaired ability to filter and excrete excess fluid and electrolytes. In renal failure, whether acute or chronic, the kidneys cannot effectively manage fluid balance, leading to fluid retention in the body. This condition can result in a variety of complications, such as hypertension, edema, pulmonary congestion, and heart failure.

Healthy adults generally have normal kidney function and can manage fluid intake and output adequately, making them less likely to experience fluid overload. While pediatric patients and active older adults may also be at risk under certain circumstances, their risk is typically not as pronounced as that of patients with renal failure. Pediatric patients need careful monitoring with fluid management, but their physiological characteristics can often handle fluid shifts more easily than someone with kidney dysfunction. Active older adults might have some age-related decline in renal function, but it is generally not to the same extent as seen in renal failure patients. Thus, the patient with renal failure stands out as the most likely to experience fluid overload.