Selecting IV fluids to manage fluid loss in crtically ill patients

Critically ill patients admitted to intensive care settings may need to be administered
intravenous fluids – for example, to restore their blood pressure or replace lost blood.
A crucial question arising in the management of these patients is which type of fluid
to use. To decide which fluid is most appropriate and safest, nurses working in
critical care need to understand how the different types of fluids act on the human
body. This article describes the three main types of fluids (crystalloids, colloids and
blood products), their composition, mode of action, indications and side-effects.
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