The nurse in a rural nursing outpost has just been notified that she will be receiving a patient in hypovolemic shock due to a massive postpartum hemorrhage after her home birth. You know that the best choice for fluid replacement for this patient is what?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The best fluid to treat shock remains controversial. In emergencies, the best fluid is often the fluid that is readily available. Fluid resuscitation should be initiated early in shock to maximize intravascular volume. Both crystalloids and colloids can be administered to restore intravascular volume. There is no consensus regarding whether crystalloids or colloids, such as dextran and albumin, should be used; however, with crystalloids, more fluid is necessary to restore intravascular volume. Albumin is very expensive and is a blood product so it is not always readily available for use. Dextran does increase intravascular volume, but it increases the risk for coagulopathy. Lactated Ringers is a good solution choice because it increases volume and buffers acidosis, but it should not be used in patients with liver failure because the liver is unable to covert lactate to bicarbonate.

The Nurse in a Rural Nursing Outpost Has Just Been