A client experiences a loss of intracellular fluid. The nurse anticipa

A client experiences a loss of intracellular fluid. The nurse anticipates that the intravenous (IV) therapy that will be used to replace this type of loss is:

1. 0.45% normal saline (NS)
2. 10% dextrose
3. 5% dextrose in lactated Ringer’s
4. Dextrose 5% in NS

ANSWER

ANS: 1
The client will need a hypotonic solution, such as 0.45% NS. A hypotonic solution has an osmo-lality that is less than body fluids, so the cells will draw the fluid in, which is the desired effect when the client has experienced a loss of intracellular fluid. Dextrose 5% in NS, 10% dextrose, and 5% dextrose in lactated Ringer’s are all hypertonic solutions that will draw fluid into the vascular space by osmosis. The client needs a hypotonic solution to rehydrate the cells.