What are the types of IV fluids?
There are different kinds of IV fluids. Your healthcare provider will decide which type is right for you, depending on why you need them.
Crystalloid solutions: These are the most common types of IV fluid. They contain small, dissolved molecules that pass easily from the bloodstream into tissues and cells. Examples include normal saline, which is salt in water, and D5W, which is dextrose (sugar) in water. Another example is lactated Ringer’s, which contains sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium and lactate. It’s used for aggressive fluid replacement.
Colloids: These are large molecules that can’t easily pass through cell membranes and are more likely to stay in the blood vessels. Examples include albumin and hetastarch.
What happens during rehydration with IV fluids?
If you need IV fluids, a healthcare provider will:
- Decide the type of IV fluid you need.
- Determine the amount of fluid you need and how quickly. This is based on many factors, including your weight, age and medical conditions.
- Disinfect (clean) the skin where the IV will go, usually on the inside of the elbow or on top of the hand.
- Tie an elastic band (tourniquet) around your arm to make blood fill the veins.
- Examine the veins to find the exact insertion site.
- Slide a sterile needle into the vein, which may pinch. The needle will have a small plastic tube at the other end.
- Remove the tourniquet.
- Place a small plastic attachment onto the tube.
- Test the tube to make sure a little bit of fluid can go in.
- Tape the IV needle to your arm so that it stays in place.
- Attach the small tube to a longer tube, and then attach it to a bag of fluids.
- Hang the bag from a hook on a tall stand (called an IV stand).
- Turn on a machine that’ll pump the fluid into the IV line.
- Check your IV line regularly and monitor the amount of fluid entering your body.
The IV also may be used to deliver medications or nutrition.
What happens after IV fluids?
IV fluids can make you feel better very quickly. But your healthcare providers will determine when you can stop receiving intravenous fluids.
FAQs
IV fluid restores fluid to the intravascular compartment, and some IV fluids are also used to facilitate the movement of fluid between compartments due to osmosis. There are three types of IV fluids: isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic.
What are the types of IV fluids and their uses? ›
A professional will make a choice between isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic solutions based on which way they want osmosis to work. Isotonic solutions, for example, maintain osmotic pressure inside and outside the cell, making them ideal for treating vomiting, diarrhea, shock, and metabolic acidosis.
What is an example of an IV fluid order? ›
IV solutions are available in 25 ml to 1000 ml bags. The frequency, duration, amount, and additives to solution must be ordered by a physician or nurse practitioner; for example, an order may be “give NS at 125 ml/hr” or “D50. 45%NS with 20 MEq KCl @ 75cc/hr'.
Which of the four most common IV fluids is used for hydration? ›
Isotonic IV Solutions
This is a common IV fluid, also known as a normal saline solution. It's used to treat dehydration caused by a range of issues, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and hemorrhage.
Which IV fluid is best for dehydration? ›
This makes isotonic IV floods the best choice for replacing lost fluids to help the body maintain fluid balance in most cases of dehydration.
What is Type IV fluid used for? ›
IV fluids are specially formulated liquids that are injected into a vein to prevent or treat dehydration. They're used in people of all ages who are sick, injured, dehydrated from exercise or heat, or undergoing surgery. Intravenous rehydration is a simple, safe and common procedure with a low risk of complications.
What are hypertonic IV fluids used for? ›
Clinicians use hypertonic fluids to increase intravascular fluid volume. Hypertonic saline can be utilized in the treatment of hyponatremia. Hypertonic saline and mannitol are both indicated to reduce intracranial pressure.
What are examples of IV fluids worked? ›
Worked example of an 80kg male for a 24 hour period
Thus, of the approximately 3L needed we can give 2x 1 litre of 5% glucose and then one litre of any salt solution (0.9% sodium chloride, Hartmann's or PlasmaLyte). This can run 8 hourly or 6 hourly to give the patient a break.
What are the primary fluids in IV? ›
IV primary fluid bags consist of various types of fluid such as 0.9% normal saline, 0.45% (½) normal saline, lactated ringers solution, and dextrose (5%) preparations.
Can you drink water while getting IV fluids? ›
In hospital settings there are certain situations where patients are not allowed to drink water while on IV, but if you are receiving IV hydration therapy through Reset IV for a hangover cure or for another healing-motivated cause, there's no issue.
Hypertonic IV Solutions
They have a higher sodium chloride level than hypotonic solutions, which makes them ideal for patients who need electrolytes to be re-balanced, but they're not as good for people with dehydration. Too much fluid may lead to pulmonary edemas. Different hypertonic IV solutions include: 3% NaCl.
How to make IV drip faster? ›
The higher the height is, the faster will be the flow rate. Standing up can make your IV drip slower or stop, causing blood to go into the tubing.
Which IV fluid is best for hypertension? ›
Discussion: Though the effects of various antihypertensive drugs to raised body temperatures need to be tested, the above points prove that introducing a protocol of warm IV saline Infusion in patients of Hypertensive Urgency may be extremely beneficial, and also prevent clinical inertia.
What is the 4 2 1 rule? ›
maintenance fluid requirements are calculated using the 4,2,1 rule (4ml/kg/hr for the first 10kg, 2ml/kg/hr for the second 10kg, and 1ml/kg/hr after that, with a maximum of 100ml/hr maintenance). Refer to the RCH intravenous fluids CPG and RCH maintenance fluid calculator.
What IV fluids for not eating? ›
Isotonic IV fluids include normal saline, 5% dextrose solutions dissolved in water, and Lactated Ringer's solutions. These are used for dehydration caused by electrolyte imbalances as well as fluid loss from diarrhea and vomiting.
Can you do IV fluids at home? ›
Receiving Intravenous Treatments at Home
Often, home health care nurses will come to your home to give you the medicine. Sometimes, a family member, a friend, or you yourself can give the IV medicine. The nurse will check to make sure the IV is working well and there are no signs of infection.
What are hypotonic IV fluids used for? ›
Hypotonic IV fluids are designed to bring fluid from the bloodstream into the cells and tissues to help in body waste excretion. In other words, they are commonly used to help patients avoid dehydration.
What is the difference between Ringer's lactate and normal saline? ›
The contents of Ringer's lactate include sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and lactate in the form of sodium lactate, mixed into a solution with an osmolarity of 273 mOsm/L and pH of about 6.5. In comparison, normal saline (NS) has an osmolarity of about 286 mOsm/L.
What is the difference between normal saline and dextrose saline? ›
Normal saline solution contains salt in the same concentration as blood. Dextrose-saline solution in addition to salt also contains dextrose (a form of sugar).
What is NS fluid used for? ›
NS Infusion consists of purified salt solution. It is used for short term fluid replacement. Thus, it treats hypovolemia that can result due to any dehydration, or injury. It helps to restore the salt and electrolyte levels in the body.
