Intravenous Fluids and Therapies Quiz

Intravenous Fluids and Therapies Overview

• D5W is used to supply water and correct increased serum osmolality, providing less than 170 kcal per 1 L.
• Normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) solution contains water, sodium, and chloride, used to correct extracellular volume deficit and expand intravascular volume.
• Lactated Ringer’s solution contains potassium and calcium, used to correct dehydration, blood loss, and sodium depletion, and to replace GI losses.
• Hypotonic solutions are used to replace fluid and provide free water, and for treating hypernatremia and hyperosmolar conditions.
• Hypertonic fluids include 3% NaCl and IV mannitol, used for sodium depletion and acute cerebral edema, pulling water from interstitial and intracellular compartments.
• D5W added to normal saline or lactated Ringer’s solution creates hypertonic solutions, but the effect on the intracellular compartment is temporary.
• Saline solutions with osmolar concentrations greater than that of the ECF draw water from the ICF to the ECF and cause cells to shrink.
• Hypertonic solutions should be administered into central veins to be diluted by rapid blood flow, and given cautiously when serum osmolality is dangerously low.
• The nurse must assess the patient for a history of allergic reactions when administering IV medications due to the potential for immediate hypersensitivity reactions.
• IV routes are used to meet nutritional requirements, administer colloids, plasma expanders, blood products, and medications.
• Blood products administered through IV routes include whole blood, packed RBCs, fresh-frozen plasma, albumin, and cryoprecipitate.
• IV medications can potentially cause adverse reactions quickly after administration, requiring careful administration rates and dilutions.