Use of Albumin as a Resuscitative Fluid in the Intensive Care Unit

Activity Summary

Required reading for all learners: Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes

Crystalloid solutions have predominately been used as initial resuscitative fluids in critically ill patients. Since the first clinical use of a human albumin solution was documented in 1941, clinicians and researchers have evaluated the use of albumin and other colloids as compared with crystalloids. Albumin has fallen out of favor for some clinicians because of the lack of clinical benefits over crystalloids in multiple large randomized controlled trials and the cost of albumin compared with alternative fluids. With over 35% of patients receiving fluid resuscitation on any given day in the intensive care unit, understanding the nuances between resuscitative fluids is paramount to caring for the critically ill patient because no ideal fluid exists. The purposes of this article are to review the role of albumin as a resuscitation fluid and to highlight the considerations of its use for the critical care nurse.

Objectives

Discuss the use of resuscitative fluids for plasma volume expansion in hemodynamic resuscitation.
Identify the characteristics of commercially available albumin solutions and the considerations for albumin administration.
Review the literature regarding the use of albumin as a resuscitative fluid.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation to be awarded contact hours AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for {contactHours} contact hours.

Disclosures

Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content will be identified by the Nurse Planner within the activity. Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content has been mitigated.

Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN, ANCC, or CBRN approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity. Activities with pharmacology hours are to assist the APRN in fulfilling the pharmacotherapeutic education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Activities meet the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your own state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting your certificate of completion.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.