What happens if the IV drip is too high?

0 votes
asked Oct 21, 2023 in Other- Health by triangleman (2,200 points)
What happens if the IV drip is too high?

1 Answer

0 votes
answered Apr 20 by Higgonbottom (15,870 points)
If the IV drip is too high it can result in fluid overload also known as hypervolemia.

When the IV drip is too high and results in fluid overload or hypervolemia it can cause pulmonary edema, heart failure and organ damage which are serious complications.

Symptoms of fluid overload include shortness of breath, increased blood pressure and swelling in your extremities.

Fluid overload or hypervolemia occurs when your body has too much fluid, often as a result of excessive IV fluids or even kidney disease or heart failure.

It's important that the IV drip not be too high to prevent fluid overload.

While IVs are safe in most cases when done by a professional who is trained in IVs, the administration of fluids via IV can still carry inherent risks, especially when the dosage of the IV is not carefully regulated.

Overhydration from IVs can precipitate serious medical complications, potentially leading to irreversible harm, including organ dysfunction or even fatal outcomes.

Drugs also can come in concentrated solutions that require dilution before intravenous bolus administration.

Upon dilution, the syringe can contain more than the required amount of drug. The user may mistakenly administer the full contents of the syringe, resulting in an overdose.

And too much Liquid I.V. can potentially make you sick due to electrolyte imbalance, particularly an excess of sodium.

This can lead to symptoms like weakness, headaches, tremors, confusion, muscle cramping, and even more serious issues.

Liquid I.V. is designed to replenish electrolytes lost through sweating, but excessive intake can disrupt the body's delicate balance of electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium.

108,784 questions

118,339 answers

1,361 comments

7,058,499 users

...