Description

 Intravenous Solutions are used in fluid replacement therapy by changing the composition of the serum by adding fluids and
electrolytes.
Listed below is a table which may serve as your quick reference guide on the different intravenous solutions.
Type Description Osmolality Use Miscellaneous

Isotonic Increases
0.9% NaCl in circulating plasma  Replaces losses without altering
Normal Saline WaterCrystalloid (308 mOsm) volume when red fluid concentrations.
(NS) Solution cells are adequate  Helpful for Na+ replacement

 Useful for daily maintenance of

body fluid, but is of less value
for replacement of NaCldeficit.
 Helpful for establishing renal
Hypotonic function.
0.45% NaCl in  Fluid replacement for clients
1/2 Normal WaterCrystalloid (154 mOsm) Raises total fluid who don’t need extra glucose
Saline (1/2 NS) Solution volume (diabetics)

Isotonic
Normal saline  Normal saline with K+, Ca++,
Lactated with electrolytes (275 mOsm) Replaces fluid and and lactate (buffer)
Ringer’s (LR) and buffer buffers pH  Often seen with surgery

Raises total fluid  Provides 170-200

Isotonic (in the volume.Helpful in calories/1,000cc for energy.
Dextrose 5% in bag) rehydrating and  Physiologically hypotonic -the
water Crystalloid excretory dextrose is metabolized quickly
D5W solution *Physiologically purposes. so that only water remains – a
 hypotonic hypotonic fluid

(260 mOsm)

Hypertonic
Replaces fluid
Dextrose 5% in (560 mOsm) sodium, chloride,  Watch for fluid volume
D5NS 0.9% saline and calories. overload

Useful for daily

Hypertonic maintenance of
body fluids and
Dextrose 5% in (406 mOsm) nutrition, and for  Most common postoperative
D5 1/2 NS 0.45% saline rehydration. fluid

Hypertonic Same as LR plus

provides about 180
Dextrose 5% in (575 mOsm) calories per  Watch for fluid volume
D5LR Lactated Ringer’s 1000cc’s. overload

 pH 7.4
 Contains sodium, chloride,
Isotonic calcium, potassium and
magnesium
(295 mOsm) Replaces fluid and  Common fluid for OR and
Normosol-R Normosol buffers pH PACU