1. Information on dehydration that merges with IV therapy and IV infusion.
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Hypotonic solutions
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0.45% sodium chloride (osmolarity of 155, ph of 5.0 to 5.6) - replaces sodium, replaces chloride, and provides free water. contains
77meq of sodium and 77meq of chloride. used most often to hydrate patients and to treat hyperosmolar diabetes, metabolic alkalosis
where there has been sodium depletion and fluid loss. when used continuously and exclusively, the patient needs to be monitored for
hyponatremia and calorie depletion (there are no calories in this solution).
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Isotonic solutions
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2.5% dextrose and 0.45% sodium chloride (osmolarity of 280, ph of about 4.0 to 4.5) - provides calories and free water
5% dextrose and 0.11% sodium chloride (osmolarity of 290, ph of about 4.3) - provides calories and free water, provides some sodium
and chloride
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0.9% sodium chloride (osmolarity of 308, ph of 5.7) - primarily used to replace sodium and chloride, treats hyperosmolar diabetes,
metabolic alkalosis where there has been sodium depletion and fluid loss. the reason for it's used with blood transfusion is because it will
not hemolyze erythrocytes. often given as rapid bolus for fluid replacement during resuscitation.
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5% dextrose and water (osmolarity of 253, ph of about 4.5 to 5.0) - provides calories and free water.
normosol r [abbott] (osmolarity of 295, ph of 6.6) - provides electrolytes
plasmalyte a [baxter] (osmolarity of 294, ph of 7.4) - provides electrolytes
plasmalyte r [baxter] (osmolarity of 312, ph of 4.0 to 6.5) - provides electrolytes. also contains sodium lactate which is used in treating
mild to moderate metabolic acidosis.
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isolyte e [mcgaw] (osmolarity of 315, ph of 6.0) - provides electrolytes
ringer's (osmolarity of 310, ph of 5.5 to 5.8) - it's content is very similar to plasma, but should not be used continuously since it contains
no calories and could result in an excessive amount of one or more of the electrolytes it contains. it's components include sodium, chloride,
potassium and calcium. it is used to replace electrolytes and to hydrate, often where there has been extracellular fluid loss. adding
dextrose increases the osmolarity of the solution and lowers it's ph making it a hypertonic solution.
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lactated ringer's [also known as hartmann's solution] (osmolarity of 275, ph of 6.5 to 6.6) - as with ringer's, it's content is very similar to
plasma, but should not be used continuously since it could result in an excessive amount of one or more of the electrolytes it contains. it's
components include sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium and sodium lactate which is used to replace electrolytes and to hydrate, often
used where there has been extracellular fluid loss. it is used in treating mild to moderate metabolic acidosis and hypovolemia. often given
as rapid bolus for fluid replacement during resuscitation. since lactate is metabolized in the liver it shouldn't be used in patients with
hepatic diseases. using it in a patient with lactic acidosis will overload the person's buffering system. adding dextrose also increases the
osmolarity of the solution and lowers it's ph making it a hypertonic solution.
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2.5% dextrose in half strength lactated ringer's (osmolarity of 263, ph of 5.0) - provides calories and free water, provides electrolytes. also
contains sodium lactate which is used in treating mild to moderate metabolic acidosis. also see the information above with lactated ringers.
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6% dextran and 0.9% sodium chloride (osmolarity of 308, ph of 4.0 to 4.5) - 6% dextran is a high molecular weight solution. the nacl
replaces sodium and chloride. treats hyperosmolar diabetes, metabolic alkalosis where there has been sodium depletion and fluid loss. it
draws fluid into the vascular system. dextran is a plasma expander that is given for shock or anticipated shock related to tr auma, surgery,
burns or hemorrhage, and for the prophylactic prevention of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism during surgery. it should not be
used as a blood substitute except in emergencies when blood is not available. it's volume expansion effect lasts for approximately 24 hours
during which the dextran is slowly broken down to glucose and metabolized into carbon dioxide and water. complications with the use of
this solution include anaphylactic reaction, wheezing, tightness in the chest, gi problems of nausea and vomiting, circulatory overload and
tissue dehydration. if blood transfusion is intended, the type and cross match needs to be done before this solution is start ed. because
dextran pulls fluid into the vascular system it will result in altered blood tests.
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10% dextran and 0.9% sodium chloride (osmolarity of 252, ph of 4.0 to 4.5) - 10% dextran is a low molecular weight dextran. it is used in
treating shock related to vascular system fluid losses such as in burns, trauma, hemorrhage and surgery. it is also used for the
prophylactic prevention of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism during surgery. complications include circulatory overload that
results in various kinds of congestion and increased bleeding time. as with the 6% dextran solutions, subsequent laboratory b lood tests will
be altered due to it entering the vascular system. this dextran is excreted through the renal system within 24 hours.

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Hypertonic solutions
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5% dextrose and 0.2% sodium chloride (osmolarity of 320, ph of 4.0 to 4.4) - provides calories and water, replaces sodium and chloride.
this is given for fluid replacement.
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5% dextrose and 0.3% sodium chloride (osmolarity of 365, ph of 4.0 to 4.4) - provides calories and water, replaces sodium and chloride
5% dextrose and 0.45% sodium chloride (osmolarity of 405, ph of 4.0 to 4.4) - provides calories and water, replaces sodium and chloride.
this is given for fluid replacement.
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5% dextrose and 0.9% sodium chloride (osmolarity of 560, ph of 4.0 to 4.4) - provides calories and water, replaces sodium and chloride.
this is given for fluid replacement.
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10% dextrose and 0.2% sodium chloride (osmolarity of 575, ph of 4.3) - provides calories and water, replaces sodium and chloride
10% dextrose and 0.45% sodium chloride (osmolarity of 660, ph of 4.3) - provides calories and water, replaces sodium and chloride
10% dextrose and 0.9% sodium chloride (osmolarity of 815, ph of 4.0 to 4.3) - provides calories and water, replaces sodium and chloride
3% sodium chloride (osmolarity of 1030, ph of 5.0) - used to replace severe sodium and chloride losses. other conditions it might be used
for are excessive sweating, vomiting, renal impairment and excessive water intake where hyponatremia has occurred.
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5% sodium chloride (osmolarity of 1710, ph of 5.0 to 5.8) - used to replace severe sodium and chloride losses. other conditions it might be
used for are excessive sweating, vomiting, renal impairment and excessive water intake where hyponatremia has occurred.
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10% dextrose and water (osmolarity of 505, ph of 4.3 to 4.5) - provides calories and water
50% dextrose and water (osmolarity of 2526, ph of 4.0 to 4.2) - provides calories and water
5% dextrose in ringer's (osmolarity of 562, ph of 4.3) - provides calories and free water, provides electrolytes. also see the information
above with ringer's
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5% dextrose in lactated ringer's (osmolarity of 527, ph of 4.9) - provides calories and free water, provides electrolytes. also contains
sodium lactate which is used in treating mild to moderate metabolic acidosis. also see the information above with lactated ringers.
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5% dextrose and 5% alcohol (osmolarity of 1114, ph of 4.5) - provides calories and free water
5% sodium bicarbonate injection (osmolarity of 1190, ph of 8.0) - is an alkalizing solution that is used to treat metabolic acidosis
associated with renal disease and cardiac arrest. the sodium in the solution is an antagonist to the cardiac effects of potassium. it is also
used in severe hyperkalemia. it maintains osmotic pressure and acid-base balance. the major complications associated with it's use are
related to electrolytes and include metabolic alkalosis, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, water and sodium retention that cause hypernatremia,
other electrolyte imbalances and iv site extravasation that causes chemical cellulitis, necrosis, ulceration and sloughing of the skin.
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1/6 m(olar) sodium lactate (osmolarity of 335, ph of 6.5) - contains sodium lactate which is used in treating mild to moderate metabolic
acidosis.
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10% mannitol injection (osmolarity of 549, ph of 5.7) - mannitol is a sugar alcohol colloid and a plasma expander. it promotes diuresis by
drawing fluid from the cells into the plasma. it acts rapidly and is excreted within 3 hours through the kidneys. it is primarily used for
intracranial pressure and cerebral edema where it acts within 15 minutes of being infused. it will also be used during the oliguric phase of
acute renal failure to promote the excretion of toxic substances from the body. in high intraocular pressure, it pulls fluid from the anterior
chamber of the eye within 30 to 60 minutes of infusion. complications include frequent and severe fluid and electrolyte imbalances, cell
dehydration, fluid overload, skin extravasation and necrosis with infiltration of the iv site, precipitate formation in the iv line and altered
laboratory blood tests. the patient's blood tests should be monitored when the patient is receiving mannitol.
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15% mannitol injection (osmolarity of 823, ph of 5.7) - mannitol is a sugar alcohol colloid and a plasma expander. it promotes diuresis by
drawing fluid from the cells into the plasma. it acts rapidly and is excreted within 3 hours through the kidneys. it is primarily used for
intracranial pressure and cerebral edema where it acts within 15 minutes of being infused. it will also be used during the oliguric phase of
acute renal failure to promote the excretion of toxic substances from the body. in high intraocular pressure, it pulls fluid from the anterior
chamber of the eye within 30 to 60 minutes of infusion. complications include frequent and severe fluid and electrolyte imbalances, cell
dehydration, fluid overload, skin extravasation and necrosis with infiltration of the iv site, precipitate formation in the iv line and altered
laboratory blood tests. the patient's blood tests should be monitored when the patient is receiving mannitol.
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20% mannitol injection (osmolarity of 1098, ph of 5.7) - mannitol is a sugar alcohol colloid and a plasma expander. it promotes diuresis by
drawing fluid from the cells into the plasma. it acts rapidly and is excreted within 3 hours through the kidneys. it is primarily used for
intracranial pressure and cerebral edema where it acts within 15 minutes of being infused. it will also be used during the oliguric phase of
acute renal failure to promote the excretion of toxic substances from the body. in high intraocular pressure, it pulls fluid from the anterior
chamber of the eye within 30 to 60 minutes of infusion. Complications include frequent and severe fluid and electrolyte imbalances, cell
dehydration, fluid overload, skin extravasation and necrosis with infiltration of the iv site, precipitate formation in the iv line and altered
laboratory blood tests. The patient's blood tests should be monitored when the patient is receiving mannitol.

3. Basic
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the dextrose solutions also serve as diluents for the administration of many iv medications.
in general, the electrolyte solutions are isotonic. adding dextrose to them makes the resulting solution hypertonic.
sodium deficits occur in head injuries, SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone) and cirrhosis
i boldfaced the solutions with the lowest and highest osmolarity
problems with using iv solutions of strictly sodium chloride include
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hyponatremia (with continuous infusions of 0.45%)
calorie depletion
hypernatremia (with continuous infusion of the higher percentage NACL solutions)
peripheral edema
an exhaustion of other body electrolytes
hyperchloremia
5% dextrose in one liter of water contains 5 grams of dextrose per every 100ml which gives 170 calories per liter of fluid (this was a question on my
state board exam in 1975).
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free water - the dextrose in iv solutions is metabolized very rapidly since it is a simple sugar which leaves behind plain old water. this water is able to
cross all cell and tissue membranes to go into the various fluid compartments where is it needed.
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the higher percentage dextrose solutions are used to supply the patient with calories and often need to be given via a central iv line.
hypovolemia occurs in acute pancreatitis.
always review your patient's laboratory tests to determine if the iv solution is appropriate, particularly
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the bun (blood urea nitrogen) - normal: 10-20 mg/dl
serum creatinine - normal: 0.7-1.5 mg/dl
hematocrit - normal: 44-52% (male); 39-47% (female)
hemoglobin - normal: 13.5-18.0 g/dl (male); 12.0-16.0 g/dl
serum osmolality - normal: 280-295 mosm/kg
serum electrolytes
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sodium - normal: 135-145 meq/liter
potassium - normal: 3.5-5.0 meq/liter
chloride - normal: 97-110 meq/liter
calcium - normal: 8.9-10.3 mg/dl, or 4.6-5.1 meq/liter
magnesium - normal: 1.3-2.1 meq/liter, or 1.8-3.0 mg/dl
phosphate - normal: 2.5-4.5 mg/dl, or 1.8-2.6 meq/liter (adults); 4.0-7.0 mg/dl, or 2.3-4.1 meq/liter (children)
arterial blood gasses for the
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ph - normal: 7.35-7.45
pao2 - normal: 80-100 mm hg
paco2 - normal: 38-42 mm hg
bicarbonate - normal: 22-26 meq/liter
base excess - normal: -2 to +2
dehydration may also be called fluid volume deficit or hypovolemia and is due to:
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excessive fluid and electrolyte losses from the extracellular compartment
loss of gi fluids due to vomiting, diarrhea, suctioning and fistulas
fluid lost through the skin as the body attempts to regulate it's temperature or trauma of the skin (burns, large open wounds, cuts).
loss of fluid through the renal system (these losses are usually excessive) by polyuria due to hyperglycemia, renal disorders, administration of
osmotic diuretics, administration of concentrated iv solutions and tube feedings
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hemorrhage which causes loss from the intracellular compartment
third spacing - the shift of fluid from the circulation to a space where it is trapped and cannot be exchanged with fluid in the extracellular space. there
is no actual physical fluid loss but the involved fluid is basically "out of commission". this occurs in intestinal ileus
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decreased fluid intake due to confusion, coma, very young age or very old age and not recognizing the sense of thirst