Prescribing Maintenance IV Fluids
Assess
• Can the patient meet their fluid needs orally or enterally? If so no IV fluid
• Consider fluid and electrolyte needs: History, Examination, Fluid balance, U&Es, Hb, Weight chart
Prescribe (modify as below)
• 1.2 ml/kg/h 4% glucose 0.18% sodium chloride + 20-40 mmol K per L (25-30 ml/kg/d water - 1 mmol/kg/d Na, K, Cl - 50-100g/d glucose)
Modify - Complex fluid or electrolyte replacement issues or losses?
Reassess at least daily - Stop IV fluid when no longer needed. Aim to switch to oral or enteral ASAP.
- Dr. Ashley Miller @icmteaching
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