Reference no: EM133228534

Part 1:  Intravenous Fluid Administration

IV fluids might be prescribed and administered for any of the following reasons:

• To correct decreased levels of body fluid volume
• To correct decreased levels of electrolytes or glucose
• To provide nutritional support to patients that are NPO
• To administer drugs
• To administer blood or plasma products
• To maintain venous access between drug doses

As discussed in the Pathopharmacology MindTap, IVs can be administered in various ways: by continuous infusion at a predetermined rate, as a piggyback when a smaller bag is attached to the tubing of the main IV line, as an IV push when the therapeutic effect of the drug needs to take effect almost immediately, or to keep a vein open for easy access between drug dosages.  Use internet research to answer the following questions: 

1. What is dextrose and what is its relationship to IV fluids?
2. When would dextrose be administered to a patient?
3. What is normal saline?
4. When would normal saline be administered to a patient?
5. What is Ringer's lactate?
6. When would Ringer's lactate be administered to a patient? 

Part 2:  Abbreviations

Use the abbreviations list on page 132-133 in your book to interpret the following orders:

1. Sig: 1 cap po qid with food

2. Sig: 1 cap q4h prn

3. Sig: 1 tab tid pc

4. Sig: 40mg qam and 20mg qpm