Commodities are raw materials intended for use or consumption. There are three main commodity classifications: Agriculture commodities (often referred to as soft commodities), energy commodities, and metal commodities (referred to as hard commodities). The most commonly traded commodities are crude oil, gold, silver, and copper. Commodity markets can include physical delivery, referred to as a spot contract. Most trades, however, are carried out through derivative trading using futures, forwards, CFD's, and options.
Donna Perrin, RGN, is practice development sister, A&E, Frimley Park Hospital, Surrey. Fluid resuscitation is one of the most important aspects of the acute medical management of critically ill patients.
One-half of the calculated fluid need is given in the first eight hours, and the remaining half is given over the subsequent 16 hours. The rate of infusion for IV resuscitation fluid should be as constant as possible; rapid declines in infusion rates can lead to vascular collapse and an increase in edema.