Question

The nurse is caring for a post-operative patient who underwent supratentorial surgery. Which treatment should be avoided if the patient's fluid loss is 8 L/hr?

a) Blood transfusion
b) Intravenous fluids
c) Diuretics
d) Antibiotics

Answer 1

The treatment to be avoided for a post-operative patient losing 8 L/hr of fluid is diuretics, as it can lead to further fluid loss. Isotonic saline is generally used for rehydration in such patients.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question relates to a post-operative patient who underwent supratentorial surgery and is experiencing a high fluid loss of 8 L/hr. In such a scenario, the type of treatment to be avoided would be anything that could further exacerbate dehydration or fluid loss. Of the options provided, c) Diuretics should be avoided as they promote the removal of fluids from the body, potentially leading to further dehydration. When fluids are given intravenously to a dehydrated human patient, it is typically isotonic saline, which is balanced to match the concentration of salts in the body fluids, thereby avoiding the disturbance of osmotic balance. The remaining options such as blood transfusion, intravenous fluids, and antibiotics may still be necessary based on the patient's condition and are not contraindicated solely based on the rate of fluid loss.