Input & Output in Medicine: Comprehensive Guide

Input

Substances, information, or stimuli entering the body:

• Nutrients, fluids, gases via ingestion, inhalation, injection.
• Sensory information via sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch.

Output

Substances, waste, or information leaving the body:

• Excretion: Feces, urine, sweat, CO₂ (defecation, urination, sweating, exhalation).
• Communication: Speech, writing, expression.

Clinical Importance

Monitoring I&O assesses nutrition, hydration, elimination. Abnormalities signal medical issues needing intervention.