The subjects of a study conducted by O’Keefe and Lavan (A-46) were 60 patients with cognitive impairment who required parenteral fluids for at least 48 hours. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SC) fluids. The mean age of the 30 patients in the SC group was 81 years with a standard deviation of 6.

Fifty-seven percent were females. The mean age of the IV group was 84 years with a standard deviation of 7.

Agitation related to the cannula or drip was observed in 11 of the SC patients and 24 of the IV patients.