Subcutaneous fluids and their uses

SUBCUTANEOUS FLUIDS AND THEIR USES
  • Fluid given under the skin, subcutaneously (SQ), is absorbed into the blood stream and can be used to correct or prevent dehydration.
  • There are 3 general techniques used to give SQ fluids:
    • with a syringe and needle
    • with a syringe, needle and flexible tubing called an extension set
    • from a vinyl bag using a solution drip set
  • 10-20 ml per kg of body weight
  • use alcohol on a cotton ball to make the hair lay flat so it is easier to see where the hair ends and the skin starts. Alcohol takes about 30 minutes before bacteria are killed, so just swiping the hair with alcohol is not effective in killing bacteria.
Last modified: Friday, 20 April 2012, 9:43 AM