Intravenous fluids that contain dextrose have questionable utility in the intensive care unit (ICU) and should not be administered at a rate greater than maintenance fluids. Bolusing with dextrose-containing fluids causes a rapid change in extracellular osmolarity. This can occur quite rapidly and may cause convulsions and coma. At the very least, bolusing with dextrose will cause an unacceptably high serum glucose, which is detrimental in intensive care patients.