IV fluids (hypotonic, isotonic, hypertonic)

Question 1

What is infusion therapy

Answer 1

• Delivery of fluid and/or medications
  in solutions by parenteral route.
• Most common invasive therapy
  administered to hospitalized
  patients

Question 2

Infusion therapy indications

Answer 2

• To replace fluid loss and correct
  electrolyte deficits
• To administer medications
• To provide nutrients (TPN)
• To administer blood products

Question 3

Isotonic solutions

Answer 3

IV fluids that have a total osmolality closest to that of ECF and do not cause cells to shrink or swell.

Question 4

Isotonic solution uses

Answer 4

hydration, replace volume loss,
maintaining electrolytes, pre/post-surgery.

Question 5

Isotonic solution precautions and examples

Answer 5

Precautions: risk for fluid overload
Examples: 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline or NS), lactated ringers (LR)

Question 6

Hypertonic solutions

Answer 6

• IV fluids with a greater concentration of solutes than our plasma. Draws water out of the cell and into the bloodstream

Question 7

Hypertonic solutions uses

Answer 7

Uses: to correct altered fluid/electrolyte balance, to correct acid-base balance, to decrease cellular edema.

Question 8

Hypertonic solutions precautions and examples

Answer 8

Precautions: can cause fluid overload
* Examples:
* 3% sodium chloride (3%NaCl)
* Dextrose 10% in water (D10W)
* Dextrose 50% (IV push, bolus)

Question 9

Hypotonic solutions

Answer 9

• IV fluid with a lesser concentration of solutes than our blood plasma. Hypotonic fluid will draw water
  INTO the cell and OUT of the intravascular space/bloodstream.

Question 10

Hypotonic uses

Answer 10

hydration, providing free water, treating hypernatremia or other hyperosmolar conditions
Must be given slowly, since it causes cells to swell

Question 11

Hypotonic precautions

Answer 11

can lead to intravascular depletion,
decreased blood pressure, and cellular edema.

Question 12

Hypotonic examples

Answer 12

Example: 0.45% sodium chloride (½ NS),
* Special example: Dextrose 5% in Water (D5W)…isotonic initially, but shortly after entering the body, becomes hypotonic

Question 13

Human Albumin

Answer 13

Human Albumin is probably
the most common colloid
you will see used in your
nursing practice
* helps draw excess fluid out of the cells and into intravascular space (used when “3rd spacing” is present)
* commonly given after someone has lost body fluid during a medical procedure (such as thoracentesis or paracentesis)
* help raise the blood pressure of someone who is hypotensive (used in special circumstances)