Intravenous fluids: practical aspects of therapy

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Clinical Pharmacist 1 JAN

2011

Pharmacists review prescribed medicines critically, but their reviewing and

monitoring of IV fluids tends to be less consistent. This is an area where
pharmaceutical expertise can, and should, be applied systematically.

Summary
Intravenous fluids are commonly prescribed in hospitals. Despite this,
many clinical pharmacists lack confidence when reviewing orders for IV
fluids. Fluid therapy falls, broadly, into two categories replacement and
maintenance.

Fluid replacement involves, in the short term, administration of large volumes of fluid. Generally, once a sufficient
amount of fluid had been replaced, patients are switched to maintenance treatment. Maintenance fluids should
closely match physiological needs, in terms of water, sodium and potassium.

This article was first published in Hospital Pharmacist (2008;15:277) and has been revised by John Dade, who
is specialist pharmacist for critical care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Andrew Staples was, at the time
of writing, surgical pharmacist and Chris Acomb is lead pharmacist for professional development, both also at
LTHT.

E: john.dade@leedsth.nhs.uk

Citation: Clinical Pharmacist, Vol. 3, p285 | URI: 11085111

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