What it means
Used in shockshokA life-threatening state in which blood flow is too low to bring enough oxygen to the body's tissues.Full entry , sepsisSEP-sisA severe whole-body response to an infection that damages the body's own organs.Full entry , major bleeding, severe dehydration and large burns. Usually a crystalloid such as salineSAY-leenA solution of salt (sodium chloride) in water, used for IV fluids, flushes, wound cleaning and other care.Full entry or lactated Ringer's is given first; blood products are added for bleeding. In burns, the amount is worked out from body weight and the burned area, for example with the Parkland formula.
For the nurse
Use large-bore IV access. Watch blood pressure, heart rate, mental status and hourly urine output to judge whether the fluid is working, and listen to the lungs for crackles that mean too much fluid.
Related terms
sepsis
A severe whole-body response to an infection that damages the body's own organs.
saline
A solution of salt (sodium chloride) in water, used for IV fluids, flushes, wound cleaning and other care.
shock
A life-threatening state in which blood flow is too low to bring enough oxygen to the body's tissues.
burn
An injury to the skin or deeper tissues caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, radiation or friction.
TBSA
Total body surface area: the whole skin surface of the body, used to describe how much of it a burn covers.