Question

Intravenous fluid (IV fluid regimen). A patient need free water and intracellular hydration due to acute gastroenteritis and NPO status. Which IV fluid infusion would you anticipate the healthcare provider prescribing and why? What is the appropriate IV fluid to treat an extracellular fluid volume deficit and why?

Answer 1

(a) Answer:- Fluiud such as 5% dextrose in water.
Explanation:- 5% dextrose in water (D5W) allows water to move from the extracellular fluid to the intracellular fluid.
- Although D5W is physiologically isotonic, the dextrose is rapidly metabolized, leaving free water to shift into cells.

(b) Answer:- Lactated Ringer's solution.
Explanation:-
- In case of extracellular fluid loss, an isotonic solution, such as lactated Ringer's solution, is ideal because it stays in the extracellular compartment.
- A hypertonic solution would pull fluid from the cells into the extracellular compartment, resulting in cellular fluid loss and possible vascular overload.
- An isotonic solution does not change the osmolality of the blood and does not cause fluid shifts between the extracellular fluid and intracellular fluid.