Low blood pressure - saline drip

[Mr-H]

Mt brother-in-law came over all dizzy whilst in hospital for something else. They took his blood pressure, waited for a while, took it again, then eventually admitted him 'for observation'. He is now fitted up to monitoring machines, but is also fitted up to a saline drip. Why? Could it bethat he is simply dehydrated? I know he is not the best drinker, but still, I wonder.

[Sqad]

I don't think that the drip is anything to do with dehydration, it is just to keep the veins open she he and his veins collapse, there will be a ready made route for drug administration.

[Count-Kostaki]

A saline drip is not just used to "keep the veins open" - it is used for many things (such as electrolyte restoration). It also helps to prevent further dehydration. A saline drip is actually a crystolloid - ie a plasma expander. This can greatly help someone who is suffering from a low blood pressure - if in a hospital somebody has a low blood pressure and is feeling the effects of it, one of the first things that happens is that a saline drip is put up to try to help correct the blood pressure. Jason (Registerd Nurse)

[Mr-H]

Thanks Count. A great help. We thought it was just because of dehydration, but he does have a recent record of low blood pressure.