Course Summary

A majority of hospital patients receive some form of intravenous therapy during a hospital stay, and a significant number of those patients require fluid replacement in the form of volume expanders. There are two types of volume expanders, crystalloids and colloids, and each has advantages and disadvantages. While there continues some controversy in the research over which volume expander is the best choice during specific situations of resuscitation, general medical wisdom exists that allows health clinicians to understand the best use of each and to provide patients with the most effective treatment possible.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

• I.              Introduction
• II.           Volume Expanders
  • 1.   Circulatory System
  • 2.   Fluid Replacement
• III.        Colloid Intravenous Solutions
  • 1.   Characteristics of Colloids
  • 2.     Hydroxyethyl Starch
  • 3.   Gelofusine
• IV.         Crystalloid Intravenous Solution
  • 1.   Characteristics of Crystalloids
  • 2.   Types of Crystalloids
  • 3.   Cost of Therapy
• V.            Sepsis and Selection of Intravenous Fluid
  • 1.   Chronology of Research
• VI.         Case Study
  • 1.   Discussion
• VII.       Summary

Author

Noah H. Carpenter, MD

Dr. Noah Carpenter is a Thoracic and Peripheral Vascular Surgeon. He completed his Bachelor of Science in chemistry and medical school and training at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Carpenter completed surgical residency and fellowship at the University of Edmonton and Affiliated Hospitals in Edmonton, Alberta, and an additional Adult Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery fellowship at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He has specialized in microsurgical techniques, vascular endoscopy, laser and laparoscopic surgery in Brandon, Manitoba and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and in Colorado, Texas, and California. Dr. Carpenter has an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Calgary, and was appointed a Citizen Ambassador to China, and has served as a member of the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, the Canadian College of Health Service Executives, the Science Institute of the Northwest Territories, Canada Science Council, and the International Society of Endovascular Surgeons, among others. He has been an inspiration to youth, motivating them to understand the importance of achieving higher education.