How much energy and fluid is required?
The amount of energy required can be calculated as follows:
the desired weight of the patient x factor = daily caloric requirement.
The factor is taken from the following table:
| Factors influencing the energy requirement | Factor (kcal/kg body weight) |
| Bedridden, geriatric patient | 25-29 |
| Postoperative phase, fever | 30-35 |
| Cancer patients | 30-45 |
| Infections, polytrauma | 40-45 |
| Superficial burns of 20 % | 41-60 |
| Mobile patients at home: |  |
| Light physical activity | 31 |
| Average physical activity | 36 |
Example:
The patient weighs 70 kg. He does light physical activities at home. His daily energy requirement is: 70 kg x 31 kcal/kg = 2170 kcal per day.
A patient's fluid requirement is calculated as follows:
30-40 ml/kg body weight. In cases of fever, vomiting or diarrhoea, 500 to 1000 ml per day must be added.
Example:
The patient weighs 60 kg. His regular fluid requirement is 60 kg x 40 ml/kg body weight = 2400 ml per day.