Here is a nursing word problem for you Vet Techs, soon to be called Vet Nurses on hot to calculate fluid rates for this dog. Read the case, try to calulate it on your own, and then hit the button to view the answer.

You are presented with a 10 pound, 8-year old, female spayed Yorkshire Terrier who has had a history of vomiting and lethargy. She is extremely dehydrated and painful on abdominal palpation. She has a history of eating some turkey skin at Thanksgiving dinner 2 days ago.

The veterinarian performs lab work and cPL snap test, and diagnoses her with acute pancreatitis.  She is hospitalized with a plan of starting GI protectants, analgesics, and intravenous fluids. The veterinarian instructs you to give her a quarter shock dose of Lactated Ringer’s, followed by 2X maintenance fluid rate. 

How much will you administer?

(We know there is variability depending on formula you use, so choose the closest answer!) 

 a) 125 mL bolus, then 29 mL/hr

 b) 20 mL bolus, then 16 mL/hr

 c) 100 mL bolus, then 22mL/hr

 d) 50 mL bolus, then 50 mL/hr

After calculating, CLICK HERE for the correct answer and math solution. First, try to solve it on your own!