Course Summary

Expiration Date: 10/12/2028

Many hospital patients undergo some form of intravenous therapy, with a notable portion needing fluid replacement in addition to medication administration. Intravenous fluids are categorized as crystalloid, colloid, isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic, each offering distinct advantages and disadvantages. Although crystalloids are the most common choice in hospitals, fluid selection is tailored to the individual patient. It is essential to identify the underlying cause and physiological changes in fluid volume for each patient to rectify imbalances and improve outcomes.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Fluid Balance Across the Life Spectrum
    • Risk Factors for Fluid Imbalance
    • Case Study: Diabetes with Acid-base Disorder
  • Hypovolemia and Hypervolemia
    • Normal Fluid Volume with Poor Distribution
    • Case Study: Overcorrection of Chronic Hyponatremia
  • Osmolality Imbalances: Hypernatremia and Hyponatremia
    • Case Study: Hyponatremia in an Older Male
  • Types of Volume Replacement and IV Fluid Selection
    • Isotonic Solutions
    • Hypertonic Solutions
    • Hypotonic Solutions
    • Isotonic or Hypotonic Solution
  • Plasma Volume Expanders
    • Colloid Solutions
    • Case Study: Severe Anaphylaxis with IV Succinylated Gelatin
  • Total Parenteral Nutrition
    • Case Study: Total Parenteral Nutrition for Short Bowel Syndrome
  • Intravenous Therapy Guidelines and Cost
  • Fluid Resuscitation During Sepsis
    • Case Study: Infusion Therapy; Abdominal Trauma
  • Summary

Author

Marilyn Lajoie, MD, DC, CCSP

Dr. Marilyn Lajoie obtained her medical degree from Saba University School of Medicine in 1999, Her residency began with one year of Anatomical and Surgical Pathology at Orlando Regional Medical Center, before transferring within the same post-graduate residency program to Internal Medicine. Upon completion of residency, she went into private practice in Orlando, where she specialized in Internal Medicine, Sports Medicine and Rehab, as well as acute and chronic pain management. Before becoming a medical doctor, she had practiced as a Chiropractic Physician, graduating from New York Chiropractic College in 1980, practicing initially on Long Island, N.Y., before moving to Florida where she had a successful chiropractic practice and physical rehabilitation center, and gained recognition as a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician. Dr. Lajoie was also the Director of Physical Therapy at Horizon Hospital, a residential and outpatient psychiatric hospital, and later, continued in the same capacity at Horizon’s sister psychiatric hospital in Brooksville, Florida. Dr. Lajoie maintained her chiropractic license and continued to practice both Internal Medicine and Chiropractic throughout private practice, until moving to the Veterans Healthcare System in 2014. Continuing in both fields, she became the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Montana VA, where she completed her service in 2021. Dr. Lajoie now works predominantly in telemedicine, and in an Expert Witness capacity for both medical and chiropractic cases. Still living in Montana, she enjoys being able to treat not only the rural areas of the state through this technology, but also patients across the US where she maintains multiple active state licenses. She and her husband also own a llama ranch with over thirty llamas that are hand selected for rare genetics. At the llama ranch, the public is invited to come and visit to learn about these elegant creatures, and to see ranch life firsthand – llama style! Dr. Lajoie and her husband have six adult children, as well as seven dogs.