Question

You suspect your 8-year-old female patient of being hypovolemic. Her parents brought her to the emergency department with persistent vomiting and diarrhea for 5 days. The patient presents with *mottled skin* and reports of periods where "she just stopped breathing!" according to her parents. The patient is being managed with a BVM and supplemental oxygen. What is the best route of establishing vascular access for the purpose of fluid resuscitation?

Answer 1

Intravenous (IV) access is the best route for establishing vascular access for fluid resuscitation in a patient with hypovolemic shock. This allows for rapid delivery of fluids and medications to replenish blood volume and restore circulation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best route for establishing vascular access for fluid resuscitation in a patient with hypovolemic shock is intravenous (IV) access. This involves inserting a catheter directly into a vein, usually in the arm, to administer fluids and medications.

IV access is the preferred method because it allows for rapid delivery of fluids to replenish the low blood volume and restore circulation. It also allows for the administration of other medications, if necessary, to stabilize the patient's condition.

Other routes, such as intraosseous (IO) access or central venous access, may be considered if IV access cannot be established or is not feasible in certain situations.