OIN and fluids

[ErinS, BSN, RN]

Anyone have any experience dealing with opioid induced neurotoxicity? Do any of you routinely give SubQ or IV fluids at the end of life for comfort? My MD is just now taking his palliative boards and they discussed giving fluids at end of life to prevent OIN, seizures, nausea, and confusion. He said they recommend 50ml/hour subQ. I did not think that much could be given subQ. Thanks for any insight!

[tewdles, RN]

We do not give fluids to prevent side effects but we do give it occasionally to palliate unpleasant symptoms.

[leslie :-D]

same as tewdles, in that they're not given prophylactically, but are given palliatively.

iow, once the side effects set in, we often hydrate.

50ml/hr sc, is next to nothing....adipose tissue can accommodate much more.

leslie