The most common IV fluid given for burns is Ringer's Lactate. The Parkland (Baxter) formula is widely used to guide the initial fluid resuscitation needs for burn patients. This formula dictates that 2 to 4 ml of Ringer's Lactate per kilogram of weight per percentage of body surface area burned should be administered. The first half of the fluid is given over the first 8 hours and the remainder is given over the next 16 hours.
While Ringer's Lactate is the recommended IV fluid per the Advanced Burn Life Support course of the American Burn Association, other fluids like Isolyte/Plasmalyte may be used.
It's important to note that fluid management for burn patients is complex and requires constant monitoring and adjustments based on individual needs. Other types of IV fluids used in burn management include:
- Maintenance fluids: Sodium chloride 0.9% and glucose 5% are typically used for maintaining hydration.
- Hypertonic solutions: These are sometimes used to increase blood volume and improve blood pressure.
- Colloids: These solutions are used to increase plasma volume and help maintain blood pressure.
Ultimately, the choice of IV fluids for a burn patient depends on the severity of the burn, the patient's overall health, and other individual factors.
