Crystalloids, colloids, blood, blood products and blood substitutes

Comprehension of the physiology of intravenous fluids is crucial to ensuring their safe and appropriate use. The commonly utilized fluids have differing duration of actions and adverse effects. Knowledge of the methods of collection and storage of blood underpins the practice of blood product transfusion and the prevention of harm to patients receiving them. Although continuing efforts are made to ensure safety of donated blood the preferred solution of blood substitutes is still being pursued, but has not been perfected.