Nur 155 Med/surg Test 1 Study Guide Rated A+

What is the tonicity of 0.9% normal saline? A) hypertonic B) hypotonic C) isotonic D) 0.9% {Ans: C) isotonic Rationale: 0.9% Normal Saline is isotonic as it's osmolality is equal to that of the body. The 0.9% is the amount of Na in the solution not it's tonicity.}Critical Thinking: You have a patient enter the ED with severe dehydration and acting drowsy and confused with following lab values: Na 180 mg/dL K+ 5 mg/dL Ca 8.5 mg/dL HR 150 bpm What fluid do you think should be used? A) 0.9% Saline B) LR C) 3% Saline D) 0.45% Saline {Ans: D) 0.45% Saline Rationale: Some key points is that the patient is severely dehydrated and is acting drowsy and confused, they are also tachycardic with that 150 bpm HR, which are signs of hypernatremia which is confirmed by the high Na value of 180 mg/dL, norm is ~135-145 mg/dL. We would want a hypotonic solution because we want to balance the body's osmolality. That means 0.45% saline is the proper choice. We would slowly infuse this so as not to shock the body. You could use 0.9% saline for the fluid deficit but you would also need to