Which phase of fluid therapy addresses ongoing losses such as vomiting or hemorrhage?

• A. Resuscitation
• B. Rehydration
• C. Maintenance
• D. Ongoing loss

Answer: (D)

The main idea is choosing the fluid-therapy phase that deals with losses that continue over time. When a patient is experiencing ongoing losses such as vomiting or hemorrhage, the treatment plan must include a phase that specifically compensates for those persistent losses. This phase focuses on estimating and replacing the fluid and electrolyte that are continually being lost, and adjusting the rate as losses persist.

This is different from the other phases: resuscitation aims to quickly restore perfusion in acute shock, not to manage ongoing losses over a sustained period; rehydration replaces the deficit caused by dehydration but doesn’t address ongoing loss once fluids are being given; maintenance provides the normal daily fluid and electrolyte needs when there are no extra losses. Therefore, the ongoing losses phase is the best fit for addressing continuous losses like vomiting or hemorrhage.