IV fluids???

[heavenly14313]

Can someone please explain the difference in IV fluids (hypertonic, hypotonic), in what cases you would give which one, and the names of the common ones?

I promise I've read my book on this.. a lot. But when it comes test time I always get confused by the scenario questions.

Your knowledge would be GREATLY appreciated!

[GingerSue]

here's a list:

]HYPOTONIC]:] 0.45% Saline (free water, replace fluid losses, not electrolytes)

]ISOTONIC:

]0.9% Saline] (only solution used with blood products), not for calories, electrolytes or free water, used to replace EC fluid losses (expander)

]Ringer's Solution]: no Mg2+ no HCO3-, no calories, no free water, to replace

]EC losses, used to expand intravascular volume

]Hartmann's Solutionn (Lactated Ringer's):] no Mg2+, no calories, no free water, to treat mild metabolic acidosis, losses from burns and lower GI, not for lactic acidosis

]5% Dextrose in Water: ] 170 calories/L, free water, replace water losses, used

]to treat hypernatremia, no electrolytes

]5% Dextrose in 0.225% Saline]: 170 calories/L, free water, Na+, Cl-,

]used to replace hypotonic losses and treat hypernatremia

]HYPERTONIC]:

]10% Dextrose in Water]: 340 calories/L, free water only, no electrolytes

]5% Dextrose in 0.45% Saline]: 170 cal/L, same as 0.45% NaCl

]5% Dextrose in 0.9% Saline]: 170 cal/L, same as 0.9% NaCl

]3.0% Saline]: treat hyponatremia, slow admin (overload, pulm edema)

[heavenly14313]

now why couldn't my book just say that?

:bowingpurthat's extremely helpful! I shall go make my note cards now and burn this into my brain :)

thank you gingersue!

[donsterRN, ASN, BSN]

now why couldn't my book just say that?

:bowingpurthat's extremely helpful! I shall go make my note cards now and burn this into my brain :)

thank you gingersue!

I'm gonna do the same thing! Excellent help.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

Do you mean hypo/hypertonic in the BAG, or in the BODY?

[GingerSue]

Isotonic is a term for fluids with the same osmolality as the cell interior.

Hypotonic is a term for solutions in which the solutes are less concentrated than the cells (= hypoosmolar).

Hypertonic is a term for solutions with solutes more concentrated than cells (= hyperosmolar).

Normally, the ICF and ECF are isotonic to one another.

If hypotonic fluid surrounds a cell, then water moves into the cell (the cell then will swell and it can burst).

If hypertonic fluid surrounds a cell, then water leaves the cell (the ECF will become diluted), and the cell will shrink (and maybe die).

[Becca608]

Thanks for simplifying that! I always get confused!