Critical care nursing clinics of North America
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The approach to fluid resuscitation in burn shock continues to be refined in step with improved knowledge of the complex fluid, electrolyte, and protein shifts that characterize this form of shock. Local burn tissue and generalized nonburn tissue edema occur initially after injury because of the release of histamine, which causes increased microvascular permeability. Subsequent edema formation in burned and nonburned tissue occurs according to distinctly different mechanisms. ⋯ Ringer's lactate solution is the most common fluid used in the early postburn period. The addition of colloid to resuscitation efforts should begin as microvascular permeability is restored or immediately if the patient presents in frank shock. Continuous monitoring is necessary to judge the adequacy of fluid replacement.