Clroys

The Maternity & Women's Health Care text book is really good. I think its written by Lowdermilk? WebMD also has some good information if you don't want to buy any more books. Labor Stages and Baby Delivery: What's Normal

The question came from a case study so they didn't give me much to go by. The patient came in for a respiratory infection. He is a 2 pack-a-day smoker with a Hx of COPD. Currently he has sortness of breath accompanied by coughing and thick, yellow mucous. BP 150/80, resp 32, temp 100.6f. Dr has ordered Rocephin, IV D5W, Theodur, Albuterol via nebulizer, O2 2L/min, Prednisone, Guaifenesin, and Proventil. I know what all of the other meds are for, but I'm not understanding the D5W. I know its only 600 calories in a 24hr period, but COPD patients need a high intake of calories and protein. My rational was that he must need the extra calories from the D5W added on to his regular diet.

Does anyone know why a patient with COPD would be recieving IV D5W at 125ml/hr? I know D5W is used for caloric replacement but I wasnt sure if that is the only reason why they would be recieving this type of fluid.