Hello, I Have A General Question About IV Fluids: The

Posted on Sat, 28 Sep 2019

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Sat, 28 Sep 2019 Answered on

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Question : Hello, I have a general question about IV fluids: The flow rate of the Ringers Lactate solution going into the patient was 25cc/hr. When the bag emptied, a nurse changed the bag to a smaller bag, at the same rate of infusion. The patient was NPO and not receiving any oral fluids, solids or medication. Does a smaller-sized bag of IV (RL) fluid, infused at the same rate, pose any risk to the patient? Does it not run out faster? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Rate of an intravenous fluid infusion

Detailed Answer:
Hi...
Welcome to 'Ask a Doctor' service.
I am Dr. Ajeet XXXXXXX

I have gone through your query and here is my opinion.

Whatever be the size of the bag(100 cc'd or 500 cc'd or 1000 cc etc), the amount of fluid infused will be the same and as per the drip-rate.

Hope that I have answered your query.
Feel free to ask further.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. AJEET SINGH (6 hours later)

Hi, so you are saying that there is no risk to the patient by attaching a smaller-sized bag, so long as drip rate is the same? What generally the composition of Ringers Lactate IV fluid? Is it meant only to provide hydration when the pt cannot obtain it otherwise? Does it have any nutritional value? Depending on this purpose, is a drip rate of 25cc/hr sufficient to achieve that purpose in a 40-kg female patient? Sincere thanks. PS Nice to hear from a fellow Indian!

Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Lactated ringer

Detailed Answer:
Hi...
Welcome back.
Sashtak.....Being a proud XXXXXXX pleasure is mine too.

Yes.....the size of the bag does not matter.
The thing which matters is the i.v drip rate.

Ringer's lactate solution (RL) is also known as Hartmann's solution.
It has a composition of sodium chloride, sodium lactate, potassium chloride, and calcium chloride in aquous base.

It's major use is to replacing fluids and electrolytes in patients who are fluid depleted,dehydrated or in shock( low blood pressure thus compromising supply to vital organs).
It is also used to treat metabolic acidosis as it induces alkalosis.

Calories provided by ringer lactate are quite negligible.
One litre of it provides 9 calories (by it's lactate content).
Dextrose containing fluids are more calorie rich.

Probably a drip rate of 25 ml per hour is quite insufficient for a body weight of 40 kilograms but it depends on the clinical scenario,age and weight of patient,goal of i.v therapy,hydration status,cardiac status,renal status and risk of volume overload.

Happy living.
Best regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad