Intravenous (IV) fluids are chemically prepared solutions used to replace lost fluids and aid in medication delivery, categorized into colloids, crystalloids, blood products, and O2-carrying solutions. Colloids contain large proteins and are used to increase blood volume but are expensive and have specific storage needs, while crystalloids contain electrolytes without large proteins and can be isotonic, hypertonic, or hypotonic. Maintenance fluid rates can be calculated using specific formulas based on a patient's weight.

1. INTRAVENOUS FLUIDS
INTRODUCTION
Are chemically prepared solutions that are administered to the
patient.
Used to replace lost fluid and/or aid in the delivery of IV medications.

2. Types of IV fluids
Come in four different forms;
 Colloids
 Crystalloids
 Blood and blood products
 O2 – carrying solutions

3. Colloid solutions:
 Contain solutes in the form of large proteins
 Increase a patients blood volume
 Their expense and specific storage requirements limit their
use in the pre-hospital setting
 Are also expensive
 Commonly used colloid solutions include
-Plasma protein fraction
-Salt poor albumin
-Dextran
-Hetastarch

4. Crystalloid solutions:
 Contain electrolytes e.g. sodium,potassium,calcium,chloride.
 Lack large proteins and molecules
 Its tonicity describes the concentrations of electrolytes [solutes] dissolved in the
water as compared with that of body plasma.
 I.e. Isotonic - electrolytes concentration= electrolyte in plasma
 Hypertonic - electrolytes concentration> electrolytes in plasma
 Hypotonic - electrolyte concentration< electrolytes in plasma

5. Examples:
 Isotonic solutions include – Lactated Ringers
[LR]
normal saline solutions [0.9%Nacl in sterile
water NSS]
5% Dextrose in water [D5W]
LR and NSS used for fluid replacement
because of their ability to expand the volume
of circulating blood.

6. Calculating maintenance fluid
rates
The formula method:
(100mls for each of the first 10kgs) + (50mls
for each 11-20 kgs) + (20mls for each
additional kg)/24 hours
The 4-2-1 method
(4mls/kg for the first 10kgs) + (2mls/kg for 11-
20kgs) +(1ml/kg for every kg above 20kgs)