Types of fluid therapy

Oral fluid therapy positives

- relies on GI tract functioning

- useable through feeding feeding tube

- not invasive

Oral fluid therapy negatives

- unsuitable for rapid resuscitation

- unsuitable for most hospital patients

Subcutaneous fluid therapy positives

- good circulation of skin

- one off or repeated for maintenance fluids

Subcutaneous fluid therapy negatives

can be painful

Intravenous fluid therapy positives

- prefered for hospitalisation and anaesthetised patients

- many viens can be cannulated

Intravenous fluid therapy negatives

- harder to maintain in saphenous veins

Intraperitoneal fluid therapy positives

- useful if cannulation is difficult

Intraperitoneal fluid therapy negatives

- painful

- absorption may be poor in sick or depressed patients

- can cause peritonitis

Intraosseous fluid therapy positives

- useful in neonates and paediatrics

- preferred if catherisation is not possible

Intraosseous fluid therapy negatives

- painful

- can cause abscesses and infections