Maintenance fluids

Question 1

What does maintenance fluid contain?

Answer 1

Water
Potassium
Sodium
Chloride
Glucose

Question 2

How much water is contained in maintenance fluids?

Answer 2

25-30 ml/kg/day

Question 3

How much potassium should maintenance fluid contain?

Answer 3

1 mmol/kg/day of potassium

Question 4

How much chloride should maintenance fluid contain?

Answer 4

1 mmol/kg/day of potassium

Question 5

How much sodium should maintenance fluids contain?

Answer 5

1 mmol/kg/day of potassium

Question 6

How much glucose should maintenance fluid contain?

Answer 6

50–100g/day glucose

Question 7

What is the main risk of 0.9% saline?

Answer 7

If large volumes are used there is an increased risk of hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis

Question 8

What is the main risk of Hartmann’s solution?

Answer 8

Contains potassium and therefore should not be used in patients with hyperkalaemia

Question 9

At what rate should maintenance fluids be prescribed?

Answer 9

30 ml/kg/24hr

Question 10

What is the recommended rate of potassium infusion via a peripheral line?

Answer 10

10 mmol/hour
Rates above 20 mmol/hour require cardiac monitoring

Question 11

What does an infusion rate above 20mmol/hour require?

Answer 11

Cardiac monitoring