Fluid prescribing

Question 1

As a general rule, how much maintenance fluid do the following groups require in 24 hours:

• Adults
• Elderly

How fast would you give this fluid?

Answer 1

• Adults = 3 litres per day
• Elderly = 2 litres per day

If giving 3L per day = 8 hourly bags (24/3)
If giving 2L per day = 12 hourly bags (24/2)

Question 2

How much of the following do adults require in 24 hours:

• Sodium
• Potassium
• Chloride
• Glucose

Answer 2

• 1 mmol/kg/day of sodium, potassium and chloride

- 50-100 g/day of glucose to limit starvation ketosis (however this does not address the patient’s nutritional needs)