Understanding nursing perceptions of intravenous fluid management practices

Intravenous (IV) fluids are routinely used in hospitalized patients. As IV fluids are an everyday occurrence, their importance is often overlooked. Many patients receive large volumes of fluid during resuscitation to aid in the promotion of tissue perfusion. Nurses regularly administer IV fluids as part of maintenance infusions or as life-saving therapies and, therefore, need to understand these fluids' impact on their patients. Understanding nurses' existing perceptions of IV fluid management practices are crucial to improving practice.

This study used an online survey to gather information on nursing perceptions of IV fluids. Four hundred and sixty-two Canadian nurses from diverse backgrounds were surveyed, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and student nurses.

The study found that the majority of participants agreed that IV fluids, including type, amount, and rationale for infusion, were important. They also agreed that fluids could impact patient outcomes. However, the study found that, despite recognizing the value and importance of fluid management, many nurses struggled with recognizing how to determine a patient's fluid status versus fluid responsiveness.

This study supports improving nursing education to understand better the differences between fluid volume status and volume responsiveness. Our study also provides evidence that nurses need access to more sophisticated tools to conduct dynamic assessments and better meet patients' needs.