Nurses’ Knowledge Regarding Management of Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalance at Rangpur Community Medical College Hospital, Rangpur, Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Fluid and electrolyte imbalances are common in hospitalised patients, and safe management depends heavily on nurses’ knowledge. Data on this topic from Bangladeshi hospitals are limited.Objective: To assess nurses’ knowledge regarding the management of fluid and electrolyte imbalance and its association with educational qualification and working department at Rangpur Community Medical College Hospital, Rangpur.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2026 among 50 nurses working in the Medicine and Emergency wards. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire of 25 knowledge items (score 0–25; low ≤12, moderate 13–18, high ≥19). Data were analysed in SPSS version 27 using descriptive statistics and the Pearson chi-square test.Results: Most respondents were female (68.0%) and aged 26–30 years (52.0%); 52.0% held a diploma and 48.0% a B.Sc. in nursing. Knowledge was low in 30.0%, moderate in 50.0% and high in 20.0% of nurses. Sodium as the main electrolyte of fluid balance (76.0%) and the intake–output chart (76.0%) were most often answered correctly, whereas only 14.0% knew that sudden weight gain should not be ignored, 18.0% that fluid restriction is not appropriate for all dehydrated patients, and 24.0% that heart failure causes fluid excess. High knowledge was found in 33.3% of B.Sc. versus 7.7% of diploma nurses (χ² = 8.974, df = 2, p = 0.011); working department was not associated with knowledge (p = 0.189).Conclusion: Only one in five nurses had a high level of knowledge, with specific misconceptions about fluid excess, fluid restriction and weight monitoring. Structured continuing education and standardised ward protocols, particularly for diploma-prepared nurses, are recommended.