Thesis

While no major incidences of adverse effects of fluid administration are reported, nurses

should critically monitor intravenous fluid flow from the start of intravenous infusion to

the end, because intravenous fluids has the potential to cause serious complications that

can have negative impact on the patients’ lives, as some complications can be

immediately life threatening, and others can be delayed, but with the potential to cause

morbidity.

Introduction

Intravenous fluid therapy is one of the measure therapy/intervention that is instituted as

measure to either prevent or correct problems related to fluid and/or electrolyte balance

or status. Both adults and children are prescribed intravenous fluids with as a sole

treatment of a disorder, for example, acute diarrhea, or in combination with other

medications. The rationale for intravenous fluid therapy range from patient’s inability to

take adequate oral fluids, for example in an unconscious patient, or because their medical

or surgical conditions causes excessive fluid or electrolyte loss as such demands can

better be met by intravenous fluids in order to prevent potential complications such as

acute kidney failure [ CITATION Nat131 \l 1033 ].

When the clinical team has made a clinical decision, usually nurses initiate the

intravenous fluid therapy by inserting intravenous cannula and starting the fluid therapy

by regulating the drops and monitoring the fluids as it runs in patient’s veins. Usually the

speed of flow of the intravenous (IV) fluids is ordered by the attending physician and the

nurses are required to calculate the drop rates and administer the fluids and continue to

monitor the patient’s response to the fluid administration. This is done through
monitoring of the patient’s vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, respirations, and

temperature. Data obtained form the vital signs as recorded before the initiation of the

intravenous therapy forms the baseline upon which changes can be detected. Nurses’

record and report changes in-patient’s condition to the attending physician and they also

take immediate actions to prevent complications.

The major risk associated with poorly regulated or fast flowing intravenous fluid is fluid

overload, a complication can that potentially be fatal if not detected early and reversed.

Too little flow on the other hand may delay response and may worsen patient condition

from the ailment for which intravenous fluids was to treat.

Reference:

National Clinical Guideline Center (UK). (2013, Dec). Intravenous Fluid Therapy.

(Royal College of Physicians (UK)) Retrieved June 29, 2021, from Intravenous

Fluid Therapy in Adults in Hospital .