hypodermoclysis

hypodermoclysis /hy·po·der·mo·cly·sis/ (-der-mok´lĭ-sis) subcutaneous injection of fluids, e.g., saline solution.

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hy·po·der·moc·ly·sis (hp-dûr-mkl-ss)

n.

Subcutaneous injection of a saline or other solution.

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hypodermoclysis

[hī′pōdərmok′lisis]

Etymology: Gk, hypo + derma, skin, klysis, flushing out

the injection of an isotonic or hypotonic solution into subcutaneous tissue to supply a continuous and large amount of fluid, electrolytes, and nutrients. The procedure is used to replace the loss or inadequate intake of water and salt during illness or surgery or after shock or hemorrhage. It is performed only when a patient is unable to take fluids intravenously, orally, or rectally. The rate of absorption into the circulatory system is increased with the addition to the solution of the enzyme hyaluronidase. The most common sites of administration are the anterior thighs, the abdominal wall along the crest of the ilium, below the breasts in women, and directly over the scapula in children; sites should be changed when multiple infusions are given. The patient is placed in a comfortable position because the procedure takes a long time. The nurse observes for signs of circulatory collapse, respiratory difficulty, and edema at the site of injection. Also called hypodermatoclysis, interstitial infusion, subcutaneous infusion.

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infusion [in-fu´zhun]

1. the steeping of a substance in water to obtain its soluble principles.

2. the product obtained by this process.

3. the slow therapeutic introduction of fluid other than blood into a vein.

intravenous infusion see intravenous infusion.

subcutaneous infusion hypodermoclysis.

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hypodermoclysis (hī´pōdurmok´-lisis),

n a subcutaneous injection of fluid in large volume.

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hypodermoclysis

the introduction into the subcutaneous tissues of fluids, especially physiological sodium chloride solution, in large quantity. The most common sites for insertion of the needles for hypodermoclysis are over the sides of the rib cages and the loose tissue in each upper flank. This method of introducing fluids into the body is contraindicated in cases of edema, and it may be complicated by abscess formation, puncture of a large blood vessel, and necrosis and sloughing of the tissues due to poor absorption. The enzyme hyaluronidase may be injected into the tubing at each injection site at the start of clysis, and sometimes an additional 1 ml is added to the solution to facilitate absorption. Called also subcutaneous infusion.