Chapter Outline
 

• Is the patient suffering from a shock syndrome that requires immediate fluid administration?
• Is the patient dehydrated?
• • Fluid balance
  • History
  • Physical examination
  • Laboratory findings
• Can the patient consume an adequate volume of water to sustain normal fluid balance?
• What type of fluid should be given?
• By what route should fluids be given?
• • Intravenous
  • Subcutaneous
  • Oral
  • Intraperitoneal
  • Intraosseous (intramedullary)
• How rapidly may fluids be given?
• How much fluid should be given?
• • Components of fluid therapy
  • Failure to achieve rehydration
• Monitoring fluid therapy
• • Physical and laboratory findings
  • Urine output
  • Central venous pressure
  • Complications of fluid therapy
• When should fluid therapy be discontinued?
• References