Fluid resuscitation in the trauma patient

Fluid management of the trauma patient can be challenging to the nurse anesthetist. Often the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist is unaware of the total blood loss of a trauma victim (ie, how much blood loss occurred at the scene). The anesthetist must quickly assess the patient's vital signs and response to fluid replacement to effectively treat the acute blood loss. In today's healthcare market, when cost of care is consistently scrutinized, the nurse anesthetist must weigh the risks and benefits to a patient when selecting fluid therapies. This article outlines current resuscitative theories and fluid types available for use in resuscitating the trauma patient.