Isotonic, Hypotonic, Hypertonic
This type of solution has equal concentration on both sides of a semipermeable membrane, so little osmosis occurs. Adding this solution into the bloodstream will not cause any movement of particles into or out of cells.
What is an isotonic solution?
This isotonic solution contains NaCl, KCl, and CaCl and is used for fluid and electrolyte replacement.
What is Lactated Ringers?
This type of fluid shift involves excess fluid in the interstitial space, such as in trauma, burns, or inflammation.
What is second spacing?
his type of dehydration involves equal loss of water and electrolytes.
What is isotonic dehydration (hypovolemia)?
This electrolyte helps to regulate fluids and electrolytes, plays a key role in blood pressure control, and supports nerve and muscle function. This is the most abundant electrolyte in the ECF and regulates water distribution.
What is sodium?
This is the first step in managing any sodium disorder.
What is assessing volume status and symptoms?
A patient with a sodium level of 118 becomes increasingly confused and lethargic. The nurse recognizes these symptoms as the result of this pathophysiologic process.
What is cerebral edema?
These fluids increase extracellular volume and are used for blood loss, dehydration, and fluid volume deficit.
What are isotonic fluids?
These hypotonic solutions include ½ NS and ¼ NS.
What are common hypotonic fluids?
This type of shift involves trapped extracellular fluid in spaces like the peritoneum or pleura and represents volume loss.
What is third spacing?
This type of dehydration involves more water loss than electrolyte loss, causing cell shrinkage.
What is hypertonic dehydration?
This hormone system helps regulate sodium and water balance.
What is the renin‑angiotensin‑aldosterone system?
This treatment is used for hypovolemic hyponatremia and must be given carefully in ICU settings.
What is 3% hypertonic saline?
A patient with SIADH has a sodium level of 122 and concentrated urine. The nurse anticipates this key intervention to prevent further dilution.
What is fluid restriction?
These are common isotonic solutions used in clinical practice.
What are 0.9% NS, D5W, and Lactated Ringers?
This hypertonic solution is used for severe hyponatremia.
What is 3% NS?
This cause of second spacing occurs when pressure pushes fluid from the vascular space into tissues.
What is increased hydrostatic pressure?
This type of dehydration involves more electrolyte loss than water loss, causing cells to swell.
What is hypotonic dehydration?
This condition can result from water imbalance, GI losses, renal failure, medications, or endocrine disorders. It may present with seizures, confusion, abdominal cramping, diminished reflexes, and shallow respirations. Correcting it too quickly can cause severe neurologic injury.
What is hyponatremia?
This treatment approach is used for hypervolemic hyponatremia.
What is fluid restriction and diuretics?
A patient with vomiting and diarrhea has poor skin turgor and a BP of 88/50. The nurse anticipates this IV fluid to restore circulating volume.
What is isotonic fluid (e.g., 0.9% NS or LR)?
These fluids are more dilute and move water into dehydrated cells, making them useful for hypernatremia.
What are hypotonic fluids?
These products rapidly increase vascular volume by pulling fluid from the interstitial space into the bloodstream.
What are plasma expanders?
This mechanism of edema occurs when proteins leak into tissues, increasing interstitial oncotic pressure.
What is inflammation causing albumin leakage?
This treatment principle matches fluid type to dehydration type (e.g., hypertonic dehydration → hypotonic fluids).
What is fluid replacement based on dehydration classification?
This condition may result from tube feeds without water, hypertonic fluids, dehydration, or increased aldosterone. Symptoms include agitation, constipation, muscle twitching and cramps, dry mouth, thirst, and decreased urine output.
What is hypernatremia?
This is the primary treatment for hypernatremia.
What is gradual sodium lowering with isotonic or hypotonic fluids?
A patient receiving IV fluids for dehydration suddenly develops crackles, dyspnea, and pink frothy sputum. The nurse recognizes this complication.
What is fluid volume overload (pulmonary edema)?
These fluids are more concentrated, pull water out of cells, and must be given slowly due to risk of pulmonary or cerebral edema.
What are hypertonic fluids?
The movement of salts and waste products across a concentration gradient
What is diffusion?
This cause of edema occurs when the body cannot remove interstitial fluid effectively.
What is lymphatic obstruction?
hese are key nursing interventions for fluid volume deficit.
What are monitoring VS, I/Os, electrolytes, giving fluids, and treating underlying causes?
This sodium disorder can cause seizures, confusion, abdominal cramping, fatigue, drowsiness, headache, nausea and diminished tendon reflexes.
What is hyponatremia?
This risk occurs if sodium is corrected too quickly.
What is neurologic injury from rapid shifts (e.g., osmotic demyelination or cerebral edema)?
A patient taking a thiazide diuretic presents with muscle cramps, confusion, and a sodium level of 124. The nurse recognizes this as a medication‑related case of this disorder.
What is hypovolemic hyponatremia?