Tips for Skill 15

This skill will require you to maintain catheter placement, fluid rates, and administer fluid therapy. Upon completion of this skill, you will be able to maintain IV catheters, calculate fluid rates, use a drip set, and an IV fluid pump.

Tips for materials that need to be submitted:

• Student log book of three patients that received fluid therapy (one of each - IV fluids with a fluid pump, IV fluids using a drip set and subcutaneous fluids )

  • Include full patient signalament

  • A brief description of the procedures performed and the type of fluids that were given

    • Discuss how the patient was prepped

    • Indicate the steps taken for both gravity flow and the use of a fluid pump

  • Indicate if you used a macro or micro drip set

  • Explain why the type of fluids that were given were chosen. How does that type of fluid help or effect the patient's condition?

  • The calculations for:

    • The total amount of fluids to be delivered to the patient

    • The mLs per hour

    • The drops per second or 10 seconds (depending on which is more practical)

    • Do not forget there are calculations for all three of the phases of fluid therapy:

      • Resuscitation

      • Replacement

      • Maintenance

      • You should show the equation you used for each calculation

      • If the patient did not require one of the steps indicate why

  • You also need to discuss how you monitored the patient for overhydration. Including:

    • Signs of overhydration

    • Parameters you monitored

• Helpful resources in addition to your textbooks and study materials:

  • https://www.dvm360.com/view/veterinary-fluid-therapy-update-calculating-rate-and-choosing-correct-solution

  • https://www.dvm360.com/view/primer-current-veterinary-fluid-therapy-techniques