Intravenous Fluids and Electrolytes

Many orthopedic patients will only require intravenous fluids for a short time, if at all. Unlike a general surgical ward, oral intake is normally only restricted for short periods. In practice, you will find intravenous fluids are needed:

• 1. Prophylactically, to minimize dehydration in fasting patients awaiting surgery.

• 2. To maintain normal fluid balance in the small number of patients for whom the normal oral route is temporarily lost or requires supplementation (e.g., some vulnerable or confused patients with a fractured neck of femur). Some of these patients will be significantly dehydrated on admission following a lengthy recumbency before discovery by friends or relatives.

• 3. For blood transfusion pre- or postsurgery.

• 4. For volume restoration as part of resuscitation. Although common in the emergency department and the operating theater, this should be a rare event on the ward.