From the Research
Yes, you can administer a 1L bag of D5W (5% Dextrose in Water) over 5 hours, as this infusion rate is generally considered safe for most adult patients with normal cardiac and renal function 1. This would result in an infusion rate of 200 mL per hour or approximately 3.3 mL per minute. To set this up, you would need to calculate the drip rate based on your specific IV administration set (typically 10,15, or 20 drops per mL). For example, with a 20 drops/mL set, you would need about 67 drops per minute. D5W contains 50 grams of dextrose per liter, so this administration rate would deliver 10 grams of dextrose per hour.
Some key considerations when administering D5W include:
- Monitoring the patient for signs of fluid overload, hyperglycemia, or electrolyte imbalances during the infusion 2
- Verifying the infusion rate with a second healthcare provider if required by your facility's protocol
- Ensuring the IV site is patent before beginning the infusion
- Being aware that dextrose solutions may exacerbate cellular ischemic damage and are not suitable for resuscitating hypotensive patients 3
It's also important to note that the use of D5W may cause significant hyperglycemia, even in non-diabetic patients, as shown in a study where patients receiving dextrose saline had significantly elevated plasma glucose 15 minutes after completion of infusion 2. However, the most recent and highest quality study available does not directly address the administration of D5W over 5 hours, but the recommended infusion rate is still considered safe 1.