NURSE STUDY
NOTES
LESSON: IV Fluids and Solutions Guide
, WHAT ARE IV FLUIDS?
Intravenous fluids are used to restore fluid
volume and electrolyte balance. IV fluid
therapy is an efficient and effective way of
supplying fluids directly into the
intravascular fluid compartment.
, T YPES OF IV FLUIDS
There are different types of IV fluids and different ways on how to classify them.
The most common way to categorize IV fluids is based on their tonicity:
• Isotonic. Isotonic IV solutions that have the same concentration of solutes as blood
plasma.
• Hypotonic. Hypotonic solutions have lesser concentration of solutes than plasma.
• Hypertonic. Hypertonic solutions have greater concentration of solutes than plasma.
• IV solutions can also be classified based on their purpose:
Nutrient solutions. May contain dextrose, glucose, and levulose to make up the
carbohydrate component – and water. Water is supplied for fluid requirements and
carbohydrate for calories and energy. Nutrient solutions are useful in preventing
dehydration and ketosis. Examples of nutrient solutions include D5W, D5NSS.
• Electrolyte solutions. Contains varying amounts of cations and anions that are used
to replace fluid and electrolytes for clients with continuing losses. Examples of
electrolyte solutions include 0.9 NaCl, Ringer’s Solution, and LRS.
• Alkalinizing solutions. Are administered to treat metabolic acidosis. Examples: LRS.
• Acidifying solutions. Are used to counteract metabolic alkalosis. D51/2NS, 0.9
NaCl.
• Volume expanders. Are solutions used to increase the blood volume after a severe
blood loss, or loss of plasma. Examples of volume expanders are dextran, human
albumin, and plasma.
, CRYS TALLOIDS
• Crystalloid IV solutions contain small
molecules that flow easily across
semipermeable membranes. They are
categorized according to their relative
tonicity in relation to plasma. There are
three types: isotonic, hypotonic, and
hypertonic.
NOTES
LESSON: IV Fluids and Solutions Guide
, WHAT ARE IV FLUIDS?
Intravenous fluids are used to restore fluid
volume and electrolyte balance. IV fluid
therapy is an efficient and effective way of
supplying fluids directly into the
intravascular fluid compartment.
, T YPES OF IV FLUIDS
There are different types of IV fluids and different ways on how to classify them.
The most common way to categorize IV fluids is based on their tonicity:
• Isotonic. Isotonic IV solutions that have the same concentration of solutes as blood
plasma.
• Hypotonic. Hypotonic solutions have lesser concentration of solutes than plasma.
• Hypertonic. Hypertonic solutions have greater concentration of solutes than plasma.
• IV solutions can also be classified based on their purpose:
Nutrient solutions. May contain dextrose, glucose, and levulose to make up the
carbohydrate component – and water. Water is supplied for fluid requirements and
carbohydrate for calories and energy. Nutrient solutions are useful in preventing
dehydration and ketosis. Examples of nutrient solutions include D5W, D5NSS.
• Electrolyte solutions. Contains varying amounts of cations and anions that are used
to replace fluid and electrolytes for clients with continuing losses. Examples of
electrolyte solutions include 0.9 NaCl, Ringer’s Solution, and LRS.
• Alkalinizing solutions. Are administered to treat metabolic acidosis. Examples: LRS.
• Acidifying solutions. Are used to counteract metabolic alkalosis. D51/2NS, 0.9
NaCl.
• Volume expanders. Are solutions used to increase the blood volume after a severe
blood loss, or loss of plasma. Examples of volume expanders are dextran, human
albumin, and plasma.
, CRYS TALLOIDS
• Crystalloid IV solutions contain small
molecules that flow easily across
semipermeable membranes. They are
categorized according to their relative
tonicity in relation to plasma. There are
three types: isotonic, hypotonic, and
hypertonic.
